This is a month for being out and about. The March to April transition is quite magical. From the almond blossoms to the bright flowers of spring, it seems like a magic wand is waved, or someone like Rayleen Wagner is riding her bicycle spreading the spring magic. Even more than that, it’s about sharing experiences in real life.
Many communities face a serious problem of loneliness with our youth, teens and even adults and it’s something were we can all make a difference. How? Well first, put down the phones. Yeah, I know we need our phones for information and directions, but it’s not a substitute for connecting with others. As a grandparent, there is nothing more important to me than being there for my grandkids, getting out on the bike trail, exploring the Graffiti USA Museum, cruising the famer’s market. or getting out on the ski slopes. Many things are free, but what you gain is new shared experiences, new things to talk about with new ideas that are all your own. It can be as simple as a walk to look at our murals with a picnic from home. You don’t need an influencer to tell you how have a great life. You are your own influencer. That’s powerful.
I love real experiences. It’s super special when people open a business, restaurant or bar that creates an escape, or an immersive experience. Wonderful that people take the time to make something special; then deliver the service that makes you want to come back. That’s really the secret sauce. Is Modesto, your event, or your business setting an expectation and then deliver to it? It’s up to all of us to make that happen. When people visit Modesto, do they leave here finding it was better than they thought or lived up to expectations? I think we should all take this personally. It makes us better, and it create a way to hold people or organizations accountable for the promises or commitments made.
Two examples this month are the Intermission and the reimagined Tiki Lounge that we highlight this month. As Trader Murf, I am super excited. There’s a theme, a vibe, and the food or service sucks you in and you enjoy it more. It’s that something special that makes it memorable. What’s your something special? What’s your thing that makes you different? Think about that for whatever you do. When I was Global Marketing Director for Specialized Bicycles, we asked ourselves that with every product, every ad, and every event and our motto was “innovate or die”.
We should be proud. Few cities our size have an opera, symphony, performing arts center, ballet, indie theatre, vintage movie theatre, children’s museum, classic car museum, junior college, concert band in the park, history and natural history museum and so much more. BUT, it’s up to us to make sure these all thrive. Most of these need the help of volunteers and donors. We need strong local companies that support the programs. Every time you support a local business, it helps them reinvest in our community. How many local programs or events are sponsored by Amazon? Think about that. Without the support of our local companies, many of the things we love may not exist. Every dollar you spend here in town means something. Thanks to the support of local companies, we are able to design, print and deliver this magazine to our community. We are all connected.
I am grateful for my family, friends, colleagues and the local businesses that team up with us.
I hope to see you out and about, enjoying some of the many things Modesto offers and please, let me know what you like, or don’t like, so we can make it better.
With gratitude,
Chris Murphy
Founder & Publisher, ModestoView.
chrism@modestoview.com
