Greetings friends,
It’s time for holiday magic.
Friends and fellow parents, it’s our job to make magic. How do we make magic? It’s taking some of the regular things we do and add a dash of whimsy and a splash of surprise and top it with fun. We can do this to nearly everything and the holidays inspire us to do that. ModestoView has been presenting Rockin’ Holiday now for 12 years. It’s so great for kids to meet Santa and get photos for free. It’s wonderful when kids and adults see it “snow” in 10th St Plaza. The Rockin’ Tree has been a backdrop to many Christmas and Holiday cards and has even witnessed a marriage proposal and some post wedding photos have enjoyed the snow. It’s all part of working together to make life fun for all in our community, and thanks to our sponsors and friends, it’s free for all to enjoy. Thank you all for helping make this happen. Please join us opening night for the tree lighting, music, fun, snow and Santa December 6 after the parade and enjoy skating magic at Modesto On Ice and explore the downtown Winter Wanderland.
Being a grandparent has changed our life for the better for so many reasons. First, sharing our traditions, learning new ways to do things and realize all the things we did as parents are still valuable. It’s all of our jobs to raise our kids, grand kids and great grandkids seeing the possibilities here in Modesto. Take the time to explore, visit our museums, teach about the trees along the trails and make every day interesting. It’s amazing how much you can get done without a phone or tablet in your hands. Becky and I love being Mimi and Murf and we treasure every day and I hope you do too.
It’s the 20th Anniversary of the Ill List and we have been sponsors for many years now. Why? This is an important night for free speech, thinking, inspiration, improvisation and opening up our minds. Now, more than ever, this is important. As a people and a community, we need to stay sharp, one top of our game, and look at all the different ways we can accomplish something. That’s why the written and spoken word is key to community dialog, the same way the performing arts and music inspire. Live learning and entertainment is really crucial to a strong and vibrant city. Sure it’s great to listen to a record, but seeing music made in person is special and that’s one of the reasons we focus on the live performing arts and most important of all, it brings people together and creates conversation.
ModestoView has a singular mission; to “Serve Civic Pride Daily”. One thing you can count on is truth, honesty and a positive. Another thing you can count on is no conspiracies or unfounded information that seeks to divide and destroy our community bonds. If it’s in the View, it’s the truth and it’s good for our community. Just because a site has the word “news” in it, doesn’t mean it’s true. We support the vetted journalism of the Modesto Bee, the Modesto Focus, Valley Citizen and others that hold their reporters to account, and hope you do too. Social media should be something that lifts us all up and I am grateful for all that support our efforts and hope you follow us @modestoview.
Thank you all for supporting the ModSquad for the Kettle Kick off to benefit the Salvation Army. This helped so many people this holiday season and we are grateful for your support. As we go into time of the year, remember those at are struggling in a variety of ways and plan to share some goodwill, however you can. This is the glue that keeps our community together and strong.
Thanks to you all that have support the non-profit Graffiti USA Museum and thanks for voting it the “Best In Modesto” museum. We are making great progress and the Radio and Music History museum, Murf’s Records and Nichol News are coming to life. Please consider donating to help us “Build the Lobby” to bring the California Welcome Center to Modesto and create a new image for Modesto. www.graffitiusamuseum.com
I am truly grateful for my family, friends and our company Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group. We are a local company that believes in being part of the solution and give back. It’s so great so see those that do and know that everyone does their part. Our team works hard for our customers and being a positive part of Modesto. Our local business are what keeps this print version of ModestoView alive and please take time to visit and support these locals.
Wishing you all a magical and inspirational holiday season the best, from our family to yours.
With gratitude,
Chris Murphy, Publisher / Founder ModestoView
CEO, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group
chrism@modestoview.com
