Banned art at the Mistlin Gallery.  It is clear that people can no longer think for themselves and we need people to pre-taste, pre-check. pre-judge and pre-vent people from anything that expands the mind and encourages dialog.  ModestoView is hoping that one of the other private galleries will take up this cause and showcase the work of our local artists.   A free and thinking mind is a terrible thing to waste.   Jeff Jardine has it right, a simple note on the door explaining what may be inside would have sufficed.  But as usual, a ban and boycott always results in more publicity for the banned items so just maybe it was a boost to local art??...???... Must stop….brain hurts…start drawing….click play…
Check out the BuzzBlog -, click here

To do List:
Modesto View Magazine Top 10 events happening this weekend: 1) Food4Music dual shows at Queen Bean tonight (Thursday),2) the English Beat and 3) The Ill List Poetry Slam Saturday night. Do not miss these.

The first thing on your to do list needs to be Vote by mail. Do it now. Thursday night has important things to do. There is a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of drunk drivers in 10 th St. Plaza beginning after dark. The Food4Music is your next stop. Local bands and Queen Bean have stepped up to collect food for the needy. 2 simultaneous shows, one hosted by Sapo Sueno and friends at the Downtown Modesto QB and the other hosted by local and now nationally famous Megan Slankard and friends at the Riverbank QB. Bring food - get music. Such a deal.

We are now officially in Hanukah season and there will be a latkes and Vodka event at Congregation Beth Shalom on Saturday at 7. There are only two more Farmer's Markets this year, this weekend and next. Make sure that you get the cranberry / orange Autumn Harvest gigantic bread loaf from Word of Mouth. You can do most all of your holiday shopping at the Farmers Market.

Saturday night, do not miss the Poetry Slam Ill List at the State Saturday. If you have not experienced the verbal combat of a poetry slam, you are missing out. For those of you aren't into that, you can rip it up Sat night to the SKA beat of the English Beat at Hero's. This will be a flat out bust it loose show. I double dog dare you not to dance….At the Gallo Center , Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz band is on the big stage and there will be an after party jam session at Claytons directly behind the Gallo Center .

But first, you need to get through Friday night and that means that you need to see Jazz pianist David Benoit at the State Theatre featuring a tribute to Charlie Brown Christmas. This is something fun and recognizable for the whole family. For adults, there will be a GoGo Dancing competition at the Fat Cat Friday night. Big fun. Saturday night, Filthy Gorgeous presents the Winterfresh party at the Fat Cat. The out of control fun show will be at the Battered Beaver in Oakdale featuring MAMA Winning Moonshine Bandits and Los Hermanos Mueratos Friday night.

On Stage this weekend, you can find the Christmas Story presented by Riverbank Arts at Eustache Middle School . The Trojan Women are on stage at CSU Stanislaus. Babes in Toyland will be on Stage at the State Theatre Sunday and the “you are supposed to think” Someone to Watch Over Me continues at the Prospect Theatre. Durang-Durang is on stage at MJC West Campus Theatre. At the Gallo Center , film and stage actor Joe Bologna is on stage in “If You Leave, Take Me With You”. Cool to have all of this happening.

Specially for kids: the Annual Modesto Symphony Breakfast with Santa is at the Gallo Admin Building Sat morning, there are two sessions. Who can pass up Oooey and Gooey Christmas candy and frosting house making party at the Scout Hall in Riverbank? Better go.

Some Other Holiday events you need to know about:
Sites and sounds of Christmas in downtown Newman through the 8th
Downtown Turlock Lights parade Dec 7
Come Celebrate Christmas at Big Valley Christian Dec 6-9
Hospice tree lighting at Memorial Hospital on Dec 7 at 6 pm
MJC Organ Recital Dec 7 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church
La Loma neighborhood Holiday Faire Dec 8

These are just a few of the events that you need to know about here in Modesto . There are many more that need to see by clicking this link www.modestoview.com/todo ModestoView is your hook up to the good things happening in our area. If you know of another event, please tell us about it so we can get it on our calendar. Our hotline email is events@modestoview.com

You have a great opportunity to help support the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County by simply making a purchase at Barnes and Noble on December 8.   You can meet authors Modesto native Matt Emerzian and Kelly Bozza where they will be signing their new book Every Monday Matters and a percentage of all books purchased will go to the Education Foundation. Great way to help for stuff you need anyway from 9 am to 10pm.  Matt will be signing from 1-5.  

Volunteers Needed  The Amgen Tour of California that will feature a starting stage in Modesto  needs your support. To find more ways to get involved click:  Modestoview.com/community

Wandelust coffee is closing. By Thursday morning, the lights will be dark and it will be over.  Modesto loses an indie coffee shop.  As more coporate coffee shops open all the time, the indies are having a hard time staying on top.  Community connection is the key and coffee shops are very personal places.   The crepes were awesome, Vittorio was/is a great barista, and this should have been a total hit.  Sadly it got wierd when Tony Serrano was not longer at Wanderlust and the community took sides.   The local coffee community needs to get it together and make sure that we all make better coffee, pour better and fresher espresso, be good to the community and offer a better experience.  It is not fair, but indie coffee places have to be better.  ModestoView has always gone out of our way to shine thie light on local coffee shops.  We need each and every one of them.  Make sure that we do not lose any more coffee shops and make sure you become a regular.  Visit Semplicita, Queen Bean, Clayton's, Deva, Picasso, H Street, Firehouse, Coffee Creek, Giacomo's, Movin Mocha, Coffe Element, Cafe Genowa and keep indie coffee alive.  Coffee shop owners, make sure that your drinks are awesome and "show us your foam"

Crows Landing. How about some Bio-Tech research? Viticulture research?  How about an alternative fuel research lab in conjunction with UC Berkeley and have a Cal facility here in Stan County?  How about a methane fuel or agri-development facility here in our county.  Let’s get some high power jobs here in the valley and get our smart people off of the highways and back from over the hill.   See what is happening at the county here @ www.co.stanislaus.ca.us

Don't Cry for Me Modesto

Greetings Modesto Fans:
(reading time: less than it takes to run the 5K Turkey Trot, no matter what age and ability level you are)

Ok, the chase is on. Not for your $$ but for your valuable time. Starting this weekend, the lights are lit, the parades are on, Che and Evita are on stage at the Gallo Center and you can not help but begin to be in some kind of spirit as December revs up. It was so nice not getting near the throngs of people at the stores all weekend as all you have to do is wait a couple of days to shop in a more sane environment. Besides, the $29 DVD players are all gone at 4 am anyway. This weekend will be awesome. It is really getting exciting to experience all that is happening from the Dickens Faire at the McHenry Mansion that will take you back in time to the Dickensonian age complete with a special edition of the Modesto Certified Farmers Market by the Mansion. The Celebration of Lights, Evita, the Messiah are just a few of the things going on that you need to check out. Even more cool is the fact that the December Holiday edition of ModestoView Magazine will be on the stands tomorrow. Oh what fun. Read on to experience more Modesto.  Read the entire weekend update here.   www.modestoview.com

This weekend is certified crazy festival holiday off the hookness. Saturday could be one of the most stellar downtown days, as it will be snowing for the Dodge Ridge Snowboard event at Center Plaza , The Farmer's Market goes Dickens at the Christmas Dickens Fair at the McHenry Mansion . The Festival of Lights parade will go right down I street in front of the Gallo Center that will be showing Evita. Then Sunday the Modesto Symphony Candlelight concert will be held at the 7th Day Adventist Church . Meanwhile, Riverbank Community Theatre presents, A Christmas Story on stage Saturday at Ustach Middle School and in Riverbank, the Christmas Craft Parade and Craft Faire will be Saturday in Downtown Riverbank. The Messiah is coming… in concert to Emmanuel Lutheran Church where the sign along event will take place Sunday. Rehearsals are Thursday and Sat for Sunday gig. Tonight, Thursday is the tree lighting event at Center Plaza .

In the regular world, Evita is the word. You can enjoy the tales of Evita and Juan Peron as she rises from a dancing girl to the first lady of Argentina accompanied by the mythical cynical narration by Che Guevara. This is a Broadway touring company at the Gallo Center . Show times Friday, Sat Matinee and Sat Evening. This is one of Andrew Lloyd Weber's best.

Fallen Sleepless is rocking the Fat Cat Thursday night and the MJC String Recital is at MJC East. Friday, it is the last Friday which means that Critical Mass will be lining up their bikes at 10th and J at 5:00 – 5:30. Tri Star Embodiment will be rocking the Underground, and on stage this weekend, Someone to Watch Over Me continues at the Prospect Theatre, Stage Fright is at MJC West, and the Starry Messenger will be presented at Johansen High. The new Warren Miller film “Playground” will be presented at the State Theatre Friday and Saturday and the Holiday Sampler will be at the Barking Dog featuring the Camaraderie Quartet and the Central Valley Brass is Friday night.

Saturday, besides the downtown holiday activities, there is a Stan County Bike ride, A Sierra railroad Sunset Train, Blue Saturday Jazz Sessions are at Claytons. Off the Cuff will be performing at Queen Bean. During the day, there will be open auditions for a new film at the downtown Modesto Library from a national film casting company. This may be your big chance.

Sunday night, do not miss the Steely Dan Tribute band, Kid Charlemagne on Sunday evening and for you punk fans, the legendary Agent Orange will be rocking the Fat Cat with local bands Peaceable Jones and Los Punks Del Norte. There is classic rock dancing at Crocodiles and on Stage at CSU Stanislaus Trojan Women will be presented.

Coming Soon:
Food4Music at Queen Bean Dec 6
David Benoit – Charlie Brown Christmas at the State Dec 7
Babes in Toyland on Stage at the State Dec 8 at 11 and 1
The Ill List – Poetry Slam Championships at the State Dec 8
The legendary English Beat at Hero's – Dec 8

Find these and other things to do in Modesto at www.modestoview.com/todo

Beep beep beep…Special ModestoView WebCast Event Bulletin beep…beep..beep
In case you did not get tickets to the B93 Acoustic Christmas show at the fabulous historic State Theatre with Vanessa Carlton, Colton Graham, long time Modesto friends and 3 time AC Alumni Matt Nathanson and our own Aaron Durr, don't fear. ModestoView has a solution for you. You can watch a live broadcast quality webcast and chat room. The only way to get tix is to listen to B93 for this December 14th show that sold out in a few minutes. Stay tuned for more info next week but don't make other plans for the 14th.   The concert window with our exclusive inconcert chat feature will begin at showtime.   www.modestoview.com

Are you waiting to do your shopping? Did you blow off Black Friday like I did? Are you a last minute shopper? Don't know what to do? ModestoView has the total tip. Art Walk. You can wait until the 20th of December and do the art walk and pick up some great local art. This is very personal, it is unique and helps the art and culture scene. The more art you all buy, the more art will be created and so on and so on. Go to a gallery today, better yet, take some lessons, get all into it and then buy some art. The arts are what make us feel good about the places we live.   Click here for a list of gallery addresse.   www.modestoview.com/culture

Doonesbury is back in the local paper. Did you notice the comment that there were many letters about this issue that would be passed on to the editors? Just curious as why none of these ran in the letters to the editor page as they shuld have been pretty entertaining. As a daily reader and loyal subscriber, it is good to have this comic back and fittingly it is on the puzzle pages where I assume that people go to think. Still think it should have gone where F-Minus is….

Help your community and get great music all in one. The Food4Music shows are coming up on December 6 with twin shows at both the Modesto and the Riverbank Queen Bean. http://www.food4music.info/

Drop off locations are: The Modesto Fitness & Racquet Club, 200 Norwegian Ave. Modesto, Tan Line 1501 Coffee RD, Save Mart Super Market 2601 Oakdale Rd Modesto, Queen Bean Coffee House Modesto 1126 14th Street, Queen Bean Coffee Café Riverbank 3318 Santa Fe St. Riverbank

There is a bone marrow drive at Grace Lutheran church for local Radiologist Sunday from 9 am to 2. You just may be a match and can be the link to save a life. The church is at Orangeburg and Enslen in Modesto .

Find other ways to get involved and lend a hand at Modestoview.com/community

 Sad we lost the IHOP.  That was a fixture of my family when I was growing up and they had this really fine shredded cheese for their omelets.  The blue roof is an icon, like a Stuckey's, Little America,  HO JOs .   We hope that they rebuild and hope that  people get jobs quickly this holiday season.

There are so many live and local options for you this weekend.  Rick Barnes is a P Wex on Friday, Fat Skeleton plays Queen Bean in Riverbank and Pythagorean Theorem plays Queen Bean Modesto.  Larry Davis Experience is at Yosemite Bowl and Kyle Barker plays Mallards.   Sat Night, Strange Brew is at P Wex and 5 Years and Counting plays the Queen Bean Modesto.  Sunday night, Knuckle Up and Liquid Conscience rocks the Fat Cat really hard.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  First thing to do in the morning is to head to Legion Park and run in the Turkey Trot  You will have a clear conscience all day as you ran 5K before dinner and if you are not into cooking, you can enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow on the Sierra Railroad and you don’t have to do dishes.  Friday and Sat? Shop with the crazy black Friday shoppers?  No way.  Try doing the alternate plan by going to make pottery at Mudroom, enjoying dinner and a show in downtown Modesto.   

 
Tonight, you can Karaoke at Nino’s on N McHenry and there is a rehearsal for the TOP Messiah Sing along at the TOP Little Opera Hall.    Friday, the film Lars and the Real Girl is on the big screen at the State and Barking Dog features the Barking Dog Big Band for your evening fun while at Aqua Shi there is a DJ in the ultra lounge and in Oakdale there is a Murder Mystery Train.  In Turlock, you can enjoy the premier of the Festival Of Lights.  DJ Mark Farina is in town and will be spinning Pure 209 style at the Fat Cat.  

 
At the Gallo Center this weekend, is Boleros with the Trio Las Panchos and on Sunday you can enjoy the production of the Elves and the Shoemaker.   Do not miss these Gallo Center events.    On Stage at the Prospect Theatre is Someone to Watch Over Me.   Sunday, there is a book signing for Claudia Newcorn and her book Crossover at Borders a 2pm Sunday night, it is movie night at the Mustang, there is Gong Show Karaoke at the Speakeasy with Jay Smith, classic rock dancing at Crocodiles and Karaoke at Nino’s.  There is something for everyone. 
 

Mark your calendar for the live stage presentation of Babes In Toyland at the State on Dec 8 and the ultimate SKA band of the 80’s the English Beat will be at Hero’s.  

Find these and other things to do in Modesto at www.modestoview.com/todo

Greetings Modesto Fans:  It is Thanksgiving.  I don’t know about you, but I have so much to be thankful for.   As long is my family is healthy I am good.   I wish I were being thankful for new snow, but that hasn’t happened yet… still holding out.   But with this harvest season has been extra tasty and the flavors of the locally produced food get better every year.  I have eaten more local artisan cheese than may be allowed by law.   The weekends feel so wide open as soccer is over, but now, nearly every busy day will be booked.   For a weekend where most people will go crazy and wait in line for a $29 DVD player and a $99 LCD TV, it is best to hang back, look what we really need, make sure that we go into the holiday season with a sense of zen-like balance.   Happiness comes from the neighborhoods that we have and standing out in your yard with a glass of wine chatting with neighbors is a good weekend task.  Oh yeah, stacking wood is less fun but you may have to do it.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.  Read the rest of the greeting.  www.modestoview.com

 Why would a newspaper ditch the smartest and most politically/socially relevant comic?  One can only wonder.  F-minus?  Then today, there was the editorial about how great it is to talk politics at the family dinner to raise smart kids.  The irony is unreal.  If we want a smart population, we must have quality smart news content.  For news, I love reading my local paper every day but my morning SF Chronicle just became more important. 

Check out the BuzzBlog -, click here

You can really lend a hand.  The Kettle Kick Off was today and nearly $190,000 was raised by nearly 70 kettle carriers and bell ringers.   This big Modesto Center Plaza event is a great way to kick off the holidays, and I hope that you have made a contribution.  You can still help out  and you can even be a bell ringer this season. There is always something to be done.

 
Make A Wish Ball is coming this weekend to the DoubleTree.  There are a few tickets left and you can help make a wish.  Local MAMA nominated band Third Party will be playing the pre-party to get everyone in the mood to bid high.

Find out how you can get involved at Modestoview.com/community

Today is the Third Thursday and that means Art Walk.  There will be open galleries all over downtown and even in the lobby of the State Theatre where along with the art, MAMA Winner Tara Tinsley will perform and there will be treats from Word of Mouth Bakery. Get downtown and check it out.  Struggle and Strife have always created the most powerful art.   Courtesy of Memorial Hospital, there is an art show of works by Victims of Cancer and Survivors at the Mistlin Gallery. There are some very powerful works.  At the Photographers Gallery, there is a exhibit of photos from around the world. At the Anderson Gallery, there are new works by black and white photographer Roman Loranc and at MJC there is a Student Art show.

www.modestoview.com/culture

Fall Wishing Modesto

Soccer is over, for many of our big teams the season is over too but that means that our own holiday season is just beginning.  Is always amazing to see holiday decorations up before Thanksgiving and as busy as we are, you wonder what’s the rush ($$$).   This is the time of the year when you start “feeling fall”,  the sweaters are out, the gutters are clean, the first fires in the fireplace all lead to that change of feeling.   This weekend is Make A Wish and Handborn and the leaves are swirling around in the breeze and there is no point even raking yet.  There will be an eerie quiet as there is no MYSA Soccer, but it is amazing how quickly you can fill those precious new hours with a new fundraiser, a train ride, a nice dinner, a bike ride or a bit of opera or violin concerto.  The list of choices is long and we will help you find something great to do around Modesto this weekend.   www.modestoview.com

Last chance of the year to hear Sapo Sueno at the Off the Air show on the 15^th.   This show will be a combo music and art show where you can also hear Not An Airplane.   Jon Valenti is releasing his new CD Grin and Bury it at the Fat Cat with a mega all star line up including Joe Cornell, Niki Leigh, Roem Baur and the Mundaze along with a live webcast on his Justin.tv connection.   Local artists playing around town include Johnny and Kelly at Bacchus and Nick Shandel at El Palomar Thursday, Rick Barnes at P Wexfords and Mariachi at El Palomar, Big Earl and the Cryin Shame are at Hero’s on Friday, then DJ Chopstiques and DJ Mike will be spinnin at the Battered Beaver in Oakdale Saturday night.

You think you know what the menus are at your local restaurants.  Here is the news flash, the menu at Denny’s or Olive Garden may stay the same, but your local indie restaurant changes the menu on a regular basis.   If you gave not been to Aqua Shi lately, Gerry has taken over managing the place and there are newer and friendlier to non sushi eater items.  However, you have to try the poached salmon with BBQ Eel (unagi) over a bed of soba noodles.  It is a unreal.   So go check out your normal stomping grounds.  Go to Bacchus, Tresetti’s, Claytons, Dewz, Galletto, Concetta and any of your other fave, you will be sure to find some great new seasonal items.  Just because you went last week doesn’t mean there is nothing new. 

 
Find a new place for lunch or dinner and then post your own reviews at www.modestoview.com/food  

Calling local musicians!!  Do you do holiday music? ModestoView and the MAMA Association are looking for local bands that have produced a holiday, Christmas, Hanukah or other song. If you have, we have Comcast TV and MAMA Radio airplay for you.  Email me today if you have a track or can record one soon.   chrism@modestoview.com 

 See what is happening in the local music scene at www.modestoview.com/mama   to send us your music update reply to this email or contact us at mama@modestoview.com

Are you tired of the hand held signs all over town.  At first it was unique for a sale or something, but now it is just another sign and there are even people flipping signs for a mortgage company.  OK enough is enough.  The intersections are already busy enough and this is becoming a nuisance.    Are you tired of this? Are there too many?  Is this OK and should continue?  What do you think about all of this sign flipping.  I even spied a guy with a flipping sign on a stand at Orangeburg and Oakdale.  All he was doing was rocking it back and forth?   Handheld signs on the side of the road, what do you think? Comment on this and check out the BuzzBlog -, click here

Make sure that you vote.  Don’t be a non-voter. This run off is a mail in vote.  This is as easy as it gets.  Now harder than doing a lottery scratcher.  Please vote, please pay attention and make sure that you earn your right to comment later.  Voting is one of the most American things you can do.  Everyone that has a support the troops magnetic sticker better vote, everyone that has a peace sign on their car should vote too.    See what it happening in city government and post your own comments at www.modestoview.com/opinion  

This is a crazy busy week and it seems like every week is like this now.     There are a couple of hall of fame events this weekend.   As featured in the November ModestoView magazine, there is a great group of local hand-made craft and clothing makers that will be on display with wares for sale at the HandBorn show on the 17^th.  There will be music at Deva and great holiday gifts at Concetta.   Go check it out.   2007 MAMA Winner Jon Valenti has his CD release party at Fat Cat Sat Night and during the day, get ready for ski season with the ski swap at Centenary Church.

 Friday night at the State, there is some serious comedy at the State Theatre with Geechy Guy that is a regular on Bob and Tom in the mornings that is aired on 104.1 the Hawk and Clint Black brings his country music to the Turlock Community Theatre or you can vibe to a Pink Pure 209  Party at the Fat Cat.  In other news, we are counting down the last weeks of the Modesto Farmer’s Market and the Shadow Chase running club goes for a run and the Sierra Railroad has a Sunset Train.  Saturday afternoon, the Graffiti Bowl will be played at the MJC Stadium.   Saturday night, Michael Feinstein plays the Turlock Community Theatre and the legendary New Christy Minstrels at a sold out show at the Gallo Center.   The Townsend Opera Players present Die Fledermaus Saturday and Sunday at the Gallo Center.    

 
Sunday morning, shake it off with a bike ride with the Stanislaus County Bike Club leaving from Marie Calendars and Sunday night, there is a Hawaiian Tropic Bikini contest at the Modesto Center Plaza (really, I’m not kidding) and at the Fat Cat, you can rock it with Audio Stagg or you can dance to classic rock at Crocodiles or dice it with Jay Smith for Gong Show Karaoke at Speakeasy.  The Ahn Trio is on the big Rogers Stage at the Gallo Center and you will be totally amazed.    Monday night, we end up at Clayton’s for Blue Monday Jam sessions. 

Find these and other things to do in Modesto at www.modestoview.com/todo

Does litter on the ground annoy you as it does me? Do you think that Drive Though establishments have any responsibility?  By design of a drive though, it is a given that the wrappers on the goods purchased at the drive through will be disposed of somewhere else.  Should there be any responsibility on the drive through for litter clean up assistance?   Why should we clean up the cups, straw and burger wrappers that should have been thrown away at the restaurant where they were purchased.  What do you think?   Vote now and comment at www.ModestoView.com

Amelie is coming to the State Theatre on Thursday.   This is one of the coolest movies ever.  The use of the color red, the colorization of the scenes, the great story, the characters and the incredible Paris scenery makes this one of the all time great movies.   This neighborhood in Paris is one of my favorites at the base of Mont Martre.  Next time you go, check out the Cafe le Deux Moulins and see the place where the movie was set.   Check it out on Sept 13.  

We have a wonderful new addition to downtown Modesto.  Oh boy, we got to hang out in a cool corner booth at Vito’s this last week and had one of those legendary long lunches that usually included a glass of wine….  or two.  The veal is really good, the Calzone’s were super strength, and best of all, the bread… yes, consider yourself warned.. don’t eat too much bread.  The are these little “breadlets” that seem to jump into your mouth.  This combined with the chianti and some ravioli were really good.   Next time you go out, check out a cool local restaurant that you will really enjoy at Vito’s on 13^th.  Oh yeah, walking distance from the State and the Gallo Center.  What more do you want?  A beeper by the freeway?   Better get your reservations now at the restaurants around the Gallo Center for the opening nights on the 27^th and 29^th. 

Find a new place for lunch or dinner and then post your own reviews at www.modestoview.com/food  

Just as the city of Modesto is ready to go into gear, the police have announced that they want to place new regulations on a vibrant but struggling local economy. Cities across around the world fight for tourism and cultural revenue dollars. Of all the cities in the central valley, Modesto is actually becoming known for culture, nightlife, music, dining and entertainment offerings. This is a real economy that employs thousands of people across our ctiy. The Gallo center is opening soon creating a new before and after show scene. Instead of placing more rules, regulations and restrictions, we need to be trying to find more ways to attract people to Modesto and help our local business stay healthy and most important of all, focus our entertainment into a common area with a halo of public safety. Imagine San Diego deciding that the Gaslamp district was a “nuisance” and wanted to close it all down at midnight? Kind of silly. The Modesto entertainment industry brings money into Modesto and actually helps employ hundreds of local people and actually funds police and safety. Protecting downtown entertainment district protects jobs and increases revenue. What other industries are in a growth mode here? Not housing. What do you think about this? What ideas do you have that ModestoView can pass on to the city and the police?

Post your comments in the Buzz Blog and let us know so we can help make a difference. - , click here

Greetings Modesto Fans :
(reading time: less than it takes to play your White Album backwards)

This is a week loaded with incredible events. School is in full gear, the big holiday weekend is behind us and as usual, this feels like a very short week. Kids are busting it in the heat for soccer practice, and the breezes are finally back after a couple of smokin hot days. (but now we have the smoke) It was so cool to ride my bike around Modesto and get whiffs of all of the BBQ'n that was happening. Ribs, burgers, steaks, kebabs, veggies….. (veggies? ..oh yeah.. corn on the cob) hot dogs, sausages, and more ribs. If you had a plate, you could go door to door. But now we are back to normal and we can dine out at lunch, open a bottle of nice local wine in the evening and rest up for the next few weeks that will feature a Beatlish Picnic at the Pops, Gallo Center festivities, fashion shows, baseball, soccer, Heart walks, Senior Strides and of course, a heavy dose of homework for the school kids. Parents, better bone up on your math. Let's check out the Modesto action this week.

Make sure that you get ready for Picnic at the Pops on Saturday featuring the “Beatles”. ModestoView has an exclusive backstage “Beatle” interview that happened only in our imaginations on their legendary first visit to Modesto that you can read in the new September ModestoView Magazine. Click here to read online and pick up a copy of ModestoView featuring the Angst version of Abbey Road on the cover at one of our great local businesses. Classical Mystery Tour fronts the Modesto Symphony on Saturday at the Gallo Grounds. Do you have your tickets yet? Click here to get them.

Greetings Modesto Fans :
(reading time: less than it takes to make sure you have a big stash of binder paper for school and a fresh canvas for some new art)

Wow, what a way to start the week with a big huge meteor shower. Watching the streaks of light from the darkened Johansen Football stadium made me think how exciting and star studded the next few months will be here in Modesto , especially with the Art and Wine Festival, Picnic at the Pops and the opening of the Gallo Center . But this week we are in limbo, the gap between summer vacation and countdown to school. There is no more time for big trips, the back to school shopping is in full swing and people are already starting to find a routine. Make sure that you take some time for a last minute get away fling and explore our area, even if it is a raft float from Knights Ferry or simple road trip and see one more part of our community. This week we say goodbye to one of our favorite restaurants and wait for some new changes in our downtown dining scene. It is really cool to walk around on these breezy evenings and enjoy an evening in our city, especially on ArtWalk night. Let's see what is happening in the Greater Modesto Area this week shall we?  check out the whole greeting at www.modestoview.com

Tailgators has jumped on the local music scene featuring the great cover band Late playing every Thursday nights. The Queen Bean has a loaded weekend and tonight at the Fat Cat will be Team Awesome, Saturday at the Modesto Art and Wine Festival, local bands will be on stage all day long from 10 AM to 10 PM. Make sure that you check out Greg Edward's Off the Air Stage. Always innovative. Neil Buettner is doing a regular Friday night gig at Speakeasy and his shows are cool as he uses lots of cool effects to tweak his trusty guitar and Rick Barnes is close to being selected to the “Don't Forget the Lyrics” TV show. He knows everything so he should do well. Transport is putting the finishing touches on a new CD and Fig Mutant is lighting it up with a mega show at the Fat Cat last weekend and a big write up in a national magazine and Moon Trent has a new CD available on CD Baby. The Modesto musicians are making big noise.

See what is happening and check out the local bands at www.modestoview.com/mama

Bands and Musicians! Send us your gigs and updates by contacting us at mama@modestoview.com We will help spread the love.

This is a bad news, bad news and then good news report. This week, we say goodbye to 1505. This was the first Modesto restaurant to take urban design to the next level by Nikki West. Robert West is a great chef and actually prepares wonderful local food with local ingredients and we wish him the best for his future plans. In other restaurant news, the top rated and always good Dewz will be leaving its 11 th and I street location after enduring over a year of endless construction, fences, obstructed entrances, and property headaches. The good news is that Dewz will be moving to the 1505 J Street location and will have a new expanded wine service area and they hope to be up and running by mid September with all of your favorite servers, hostesses and Chef Vincent. Scott Aspesi is one of our local wine treasures and the new Wine space will be awesome. This is personal as ModestoView was created over many a breakfast at Dewz. In other news, Momo's has closed and the former Nosh will soon be reopening as an Italian place. We will keep you posted on the dining news. We have great local restaurants and you need to try them rather than go places where the food was prepared somewhere else but warmed up here. Remember, ModestoView wants you to eat local or we will be left only with big chain restaurants by freeway interchanges that make you wait with a beeper. Go downtown, go NE, go NW, go SW and try a locally owned restaurant today. For a huge list of locally owned restaurants, click ModestoView www.modestoview.com/food

Young Idol is coming! Modesto Symphony is back in action this year for the Young Idol contest. Sign up today at www.modestosymphony.org This weekend is the Modesto Art and Wine Festival where you will see the works of over 100 artists, check out more than 30 local bands, see the new Gallo Center Time Capsule and also get some sneak peaks and jazz musician Kenny Rankin will be featured and there will be a kids section a full block long. Tix are only $10 and kids get in free with adults. Do not miss this all day event.

Here are some other key things happening this week. Wednesday is Inland Night at the Mustang and Thursday is Art Walk, Club Extreme at Yosemite Bowl, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Penalty Box com es alive at Hero's Thursday, Friday and Sat nights. Fri and Sat, it is a Pure 209 party night at Fat Cat with the area's best DJs. On the big Screen of the State, you can see the Jane Austen Book Club move on Thursday as well as La Vie en Rose through the 19 th . On Stage this weekend, the whimsical performance of Suessical continues this weekend at CSU Stanislaus by the wonderful YES Company and the production Oklahoma continues in Riverbank this weekend at the Del Rio Theatre and Hot Latin Rhythms will be on stage at the State Sat Night.

Saturday, start the day at the Modesto Farmers Market, take the kid to the Modesto Art and Wine Festival and check out the artists, taste some wine, buy some art and listen to great local bands and then cut over to Hero's where Saturday is B93 Liquid Summer where you will find local bands Angst and Not An Airplane opening for Bowling for Soup featuring the hit song 1985. That will be a great show. What a day! Big props to Chris Ricci and city councilman and artist Brad Hawn for making this happen.

Sunday, enjoy a nice Brunch Train on the Sierra Railroad, watch the Nor Cal Junior Rodeo Championships in Oakdale and then check out Gong Show Karaoke with Jay Smith at the Speakeasy or head to Crocodiles for some classic rock dancing and fun or check out Movie Night at the Mustang or rock out at the Fat Cat with the Secretions and Ghost of Raul. Monday there is story time at the libraries around the county. Monday night is Karaoke at Tailgators, Deriva and Hero's Choice at the Fat Cat and Blue Monday Jams at Clayton's and it is Monday Night Football at Hero's.

This is just a sample of things happening. Find more info about these and other things to do in Modesto at www.modestoview.com/todo

Have you read your August ModestoView Magazine yet? Did you get the inside scoop on Art and Wine, did you meet local artist Allen Passalaqua, learn about Memphis Tip Top BBQ, get new info on local bands and CDs and meet chef Vinny from Chefs of New York? It is all there in ModestoView. Modesto is the only local and independent coverage of arts, entertainment, dining and community. Read the issue online.

For every season turn turn turn.
These words have been said in some form for thousands of years. It is still true today as our city and our people change and evolve. As we transition into a new downtown with a new cultural life, as our local kids head off to their colleges and start their new life and as new people learn about Modesto and start their new lives, we remember the other lives that change too. We will never forget Ryan Dickerson, a family friend since Ron, Lynn, Ross and Ryan moved here when Ryan was in 6th grade. Ryan's life is an example of the way we can all be; optimistic, fun, involved, community minded, a good friend and was always there for a wide variety of people. Remembering Ryan, we all take a look at ourselves and see how we contribute, how we treat others and what kind of people we want to be. This is a consolation to his family. You can remember Ryan at www.ryandickerson.org and this has links a memory posting board a link to the Modesto Bee guest book, his MySpace and Facebook sites and a video prepared by his waterpolo friends.

Should the city of Modesto step up with the performing arts center? The city of Modesto will be the primary beneficiary of the increased tourism, the extra sales dollars, the busy restaurants, parking and local services that will be used by the Gallo Center . This is chump change on the front end of a project that will deliver economic benefit for decades to come. This is regular income that will pay for more police, street repairs and services. Come on Modesto, jump in. The current redevelopment of downtown worked when the naysayers said it wouldn't and now it is time to step up and be visionary again. Modesto City Council, it is in your hands, get it done.

What do you think about this? City Council, please support this investment. Let's stop referring to this as a gift. It is not a gift, but an investment on future dividends.
Vote now at www.ModestoView.com

What a blast.  Lined up, hundreds deep at the Barnes and Noble in Modesto for the newest installment of Harry Potter.  My daughter has been completely jonesing for this book for months, and now it is here.  It was amazingly organized. Still some parents were complaining how stupid it was that there was no book available unless they had a wristband, yet hundreds of others seemed to figured it out just fine and had their place in line.  At 12:25 am, no sooner did we have the book in hand, (the special edition first printing) and were in the car, did the wrapper come off, and the first chapter got underway.  "If Harry, Ron or Hermione die, I am going to cry.  It can't be,  it must be Voldemort and ......" my daughter's speculation began.  Home now, the light by the bed is on in her room and the pages are turning.  What next book is going to come along that gets kids to read 750 pages in a straight shot?   Amazing.

This has been a fun summer so far. Today is a sad day as it is the last MoBand of the season, so make sure you get out there and you can even get all dressed up for the final final. Tonight is Artwalk, so you can park downtown and then walk to all of the galleries, then to Graceada Park . The awards will be given tonight for the photography show, Our Corner of the World at the Camera Center . Later, there is music at the Queen Bean, Fat Cat, Galletto, Bacchus, and Hero's and a special Artwalk after party at Deva.

Friday, it is Dave Mason at the State and you can here a classic version of All Along the Watchtower and We Just Disagree. Also Friday night, Karen Joy Brown and Joe Baretta play the Queen Bean and don't get stuck in the Penalty Box at Hero's as there is some serious DJ Fun on Friday and Sat nights. Saturday, it is X Fest. But X fest happens later in the day so you can still get in your trip to the Farmer's Market and then do a river and raft train trip with a float down the river and then head to X Fest. Sunday night you can check out Karaoke at Tailgators and Electric Soup plays Fat Cat and you can com pete in the pool tournament at the Battered Beaver in Oakdale and of course, don't forget Gong Show Karaoke at the Speakeasy with the comedy of Jay Smith if you are brave enough.

The Shakespeare continues this weekend at CSUS with As You Like It and over at the West Side Theatre, the Jitterbug Juliet will totally entertain you and at the Prospect Theatre, the Complete Shakespeare ( Abridged) will make you howl. There is some serious high brow stuff to check out.

Find these and other things to do in Modesto at www.modestoview.com/todo
Send us your events to get on the ModestoView calendar events@modestoview.com