Moment of Silence Please.   Pierre Zaldua, Chef at Gervasoni’s passed away and last week many in town celebrated his life.  Pierre was one of the most interesting characters in our local food community.  We were fortunate to have spent time with Pierre earlier this year when our food editor Rick Serpa interviewed Chef Pierre for our July ModestoView magazine.  You can read about Pierre by clicking here. (it is a big PDF file)   We will miss him, his colorful style and his Basque traditions.  Gervasoni’s has been and always will be a great Modesto tradition.   Go try it today. You will have a great experience when you eat at places with local personality and flavor.  

Price of Oil per Barrel:

2001 - $17.00
2008 - $ 100.00  Learn more here

Time to ride your bike? Who is profiting on this? Enjoying your lower taxes? The bike races are coming to Modesto in Feb.  Get on your bike and get on board now at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/cities.html  
We need volunteers and more local race day sponsors. 

http://www.tourofcalifornia-modesto.com/volunteer.html

Will 2008 be better than 2007?  Is your outlook brighter or darker for this year?  Have you made it though the crazy financial times or did you cruise right through as you did not do any crazy stuff.  Are you being more creative, living more simply, being local or are you exploring.   For many, the arrows all point up as we seem to be near the bottom and things should get brighter.  What do you think?  Where will you go, what will you do?  Do you have any comments about the New Year and what we can expect in 2008?   Post your comments, resolutions, predictions and any other thing you want to say about 2008 or the recently expired 2007 for that matter.

Vote and comment now at www.ModestoView.com

For those of you that are Rotarians, you know the 4-way test.  For the rest of you, these are great tools for everyday thinking.  My last issue of the Rotarian had a letter wishing that those in Washington DC would govern using the 4 way test.  If this happened, the partisan bickering would be over and we would get something done.  What do you think?

Here is the 4-way test.  Clip and Save for your wallet, purse or car visor.  

1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR for all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and better friendhips, 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL for all concerned.  Pretty easy to do don’tcha think?  What do you think?  Comment in the Buzz Blog.

We are in the final countdown days to the end of 2007.  It is hard to stay focused at work, family and friends are visiting and the kids are home from college so it is pretty fun.   This weekend will be fun and Monday is New Year’s Eve and there are some Hall Of Fame events. 

 

Here is a full spectrum of ideas: 

Funworks Family Fun Event beginning at 6:30 to 12:30am

Comedy at the Seasons with Sean (Man Song) Morey and the 104.1 the Hawk

Overnight Pajama Party and a Movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Riverbank at 9 pm to 9 am.  

Fat Cat will be ultra cool with a Pure 209 party featuring live music by Peaceable Jones, Endrone and Victorian Elm and then DJ all night long.

Bacchus is featuring Johnny and Kelly until the wee hours. 

Aqua Shi is having a formal masquerade ball with special gifts, never know who you will meet.

Tresetti’s has the Valley Rhythm Section and multi course dinner and Champagne toast

At the West Side Theatre, check out the Sneaky Pete all star cover band.

The Moonshine Bandits are rocking in LaGrange. 

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

 

In other things that you need to know about, the multicultural music presentation of Crosspulse will be at the Riverbank Library Friday and at the Oakdale and Modesto libraries on Sat.  Something from Planet Hell and Protoman will be rocking Fat Cat. Saturday, Jacobs Fine Dining features an exceptional musician named Tito playing the Tres, an instrument similar to the Guitar. Tito studied with the masters in the Buena Vista Social Club in Cuba. This will be a special event.  For the totally wack thing to do on Sat night, head to the Stockton Civic Arena for Girls roller Derby where the SJ Valley Vixens will take on Sacramento.   Learn more at www. Valleyvixens.org (make sure you type in DOT ORG) For you runners, the Flat Arch 50 race is Sunday morning in Downtown Oakdale, 50 km or 50 miles.  That is some serious post holiday running.  What a great way to start the year.  At the State, the film is Bella throughout the weekend and the Gallo Center is quiet this weekend.

 

End of Year Tax Tip

Give the Gallo Center.  Get the big write off and donate a chair, a wall, a plaza, a dressing room or just take advantage of the last chance to get on the founders wall. 

The world turns because those that can and have the means to lend a hand.  Thursday, Jan 2 and 3rd the Salvation Army needs your help to assist with the distribution of the Coats for Kids.   On the 2^nd help is need to prepare and hang all of the coats and distribution is on the 3^rd.  Contact the Volunteer Center today to hook up.     Find many more ways to get involved in our community by clicking here and get all of the contact numbers to hook up.

Modestoview.com/community

Do you like local news? Do you like a news team that is here all the time and just doesn’t show up just when there is an accident? I do and you can see it live every night at 6:30, 10 and 11 each night.   The Central Valley Report with news anchor Ellen Stallings is our own local news team.  Count on them daily on Comcast 98 and Charter 9 and catch the ModestoView Top 10 every Thurs, Fri and Sat.  www.centralvalleyreports.com

Big news for local music fans.  Angie Goode, part of the original Cruise and Good morning team is back at B93.  Not only is she back, she is the new program director and will be driving the local sound. This has got to be great news for local bands and local venues.  B93 has a new general manager, Rich Hawkins that comes from San Luis Obispo (translated college radio town) and this could be the start of a new way of presenting local music.  This is great news. 
Chris Murphy

Breakfast in downtown. This is one of my favorite things.  Breakfast is one of the most enjoyable meals of the day.  But when you combine your favorite lunch or dinner and combine it with brekkie, the result is amazing.  Do you love the Neil’s Toss at Harvest Moon? There is a Neil’s Omelets. Now serving brekkie on Sat and Sun from 10-2, there is usually a special that will knock your socks off.  I had a cheddar, potato and bacon omelet and best of all, the Moon has a low alcohol vodka that makes a great Bloody Mary. This is a great brekkie combo.  Other downtown breakfast?  Deva is a winner, H Street Café, Old Mill, Barking Dog features Green Eggs and Ham, Senor Fresh has breakfast burritos and Claytons and Queen Bean have great pastries with stellar coffee.  Find a new place for lunch or dinner and then post your own reviews at www.modestoview.com/food  

Do you want the daily hook up for what is happening?   Listen to AM 970 in the mornings from 5 to 9 am and get the hourly and all day long on FM 106.1 to hear the ModestoView Top5 Daily report.  Listen on Friday mornings to KMPH 840 am for the weekend ModestoView Top 10.  To hear local music, all the time, with no commercial interruption, listen to MAMA Radio at www.modestoview.com  and local bands are on B93 Sunday nights at 9 pm and sometimes on Friday nights.

Executive pay.  Does this make a cloud of smoke explode over your head?  As many finish off 2007 wondering how they are going to make ends meet, CEOs are taking home hundreds of millions of dollars in end of year bonuses.  Rewarding for excellent performance is OK, but for the CEOs of health care insurance companies that take home tens of millions because they denied more care and services for the struggling is not cool.  Karma should be swift and painful. 

Want to see what CEOs of the largest corporations make? Click - www.sec.gov/xbrl

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 inc