July sure went fast. Since the 4th of July Parade, it has been blur and the Tour de France is already over. If I checked out a bit last month I apologize as I had a hernia surgery that knocked me out a bit. Thanks for the nice comments, heckles and wishes and it is sure good to be back in the groove again. It was my first robotic surgery and it was amazing. I am continually amazed how science and tech continues to evolve and that there are super smart and talented people that are operating on me and others.
Speaking of education; it’s already time to go back to school again. Seems like it just sneaked up on us. But I remember as a kid, at the end of summer I was ready to go back to school and see all my friends. I always looked forward to school. I was fundamentally curious and liked learning new things. I still feel that way. I think that our community, and our country needs to realize that the desire to learn, to seek the truth how things work, learn about our society, geography and history, and obviously design, build and operate amazing medical equipment have never been more important. Sure, we need to be proficient in English and math, but we also need science, civics, history, and to learn how to think, troubleshoot, and discern fact from fiction. Understanding things that are different and new is important.
Public schools are challenged to meet every student where they are so they are both challenged as they accelerate and support those who need assistance to realize their goals. We are fortunate that one of Modesto’s own, has come back to lead Modesto City Schools. She is a graduate of the Modesto High International Baccalaureate program, that prepped her well for advanced college work and educational experience that she brings back to Modesto.
Why is this important? We want our next generation to WANT to come back to Modesto and bring what they learned to enrich our community. Our students should be like bees that fan out across our educational system, maybe even live somewhere else and then make their pact back, bringing what they learned with them. This has to be our #1 goal.
Our city leaders need to make sure that we are creating policies that generate new jobs, opportunity and a vibrant cultural scene that make people WANT to come back. It’s the music, the food, the arts, the parks, access to child services and financial success that will make this happen.
Living local has never been more important. Investing in ourselves, our local economy, and a future where our kids will want to be here and make it fun, and rockin’. As you can see by our cover, August as become the month of music festivals and shows in Modesto. From RockFest, to the Rockit Showcase at the end of the month, there is so much talent we need to enjoy and support. I really hope to see you out at the shows and my band will be playing at RockFet and National Night out and a BrownBag August 22 in the Gallo Center music garden at noon. So much variety and make sure you get your MAMA nominations in at mama@modestoview.com<mailto:mama@modestoview.com>
Finally, let’s talk about staying informed. ModestoView does our part to make sure that we celebrate the good in our community and highlight what makes it great and fun to live here. This works when we also have good reliable news in our community. It’s important to hold power to account, elevate those in our community doing good things and making sure we are all informed. This month, the Modesto Focus was launched with some alumni from the Modesto Bee. The Modesto Bee is strengthening their newsroom as well. The Valley Citizen is key to seeing the humanity in our community and shining a light on injustice. It’s important to trust information and know the information gathered and published is the truth. Whether you like the news or not, it is important to know what is really going on and how it affects you and the place we live.
One of my favorite guiding lights is the phrase, “Face reality as it is, not as you wish it to be”. In between those ends, we make the plans that will make us better and move forward. Being between our reality and what we want to be continues to drive us. I hope you are along for this mission as well.
Thank you,
Chris Murphy
Founder & Publisher, ModestoView.
chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
