ModestoView September 2023

Photo illustration by Michael J. Mangano

Wow, this is one of the best Septembers ever!   First and foremost, before we even talk about the cool things to do, eat and drink here in our community; I and our family are celebrating.  Becky and I are grandparents again and it is just as magical as the first time.  I am unbelievably proud of my daughter Madison and Ryan as they welcomed a beautiful little girl.  Wow. I can just sit and stare at her for hours and watch her first movements. Even at one day old, I felt she was connecting with all of us. We are already wrapped around her finger.  The new issue barely got to the printer on time as that’s all we were focused on.   Ok, now, let’s see what the big September scoop is.

Back in the early 80s when we were racing bicycles all over our region, high speed training and drafting trucks was a really cool thing. You could hang on in the slipstream, even getting up to nearly 55 MPH. But one morning, riding my bike to CSU Stanislaus like I did daily from Modesto, I jumped on the back of a tomato truck on the short stretch of 99 (yes it was legal) between Keyes Rd and Taylor Rd. It was the worst ever.  Within seconds, I was immediately covered and drenched in the dripping tomato juice.  I pulled off and went home to clean up. So, with that wonderful memory, I felt it would be great to talk about our amazing global world of tomatoes.   Besides having the largest winery, our region produces 95%

of the processed tomatoes in the USA.  So let’s learn some more about our friend, the tomato and respect the thousands of tomato truck loads that make it all happen.  Hopefully you will never experience a full coating of tomato juice.    There seems to be a momentum building here in Modesto in a couple of areas.  There are big signs of life in our local restaurant community.  New places like the Standard Pub are opening, Surla’s is back in full gear, the Goat will be back soon and there is the new Bake Shop will be bringing the smell of fresh-baked bread to 11th St.  Not only that, more and more bands are finding places to play, Off the Air is back and you can feel some of the music in the air again.  These are all great things but one thing they have in common is that we have to get out and go listen, go dance, go eat, go drink and take advantage of what is happening.  Let’s build on this local energy all over town and make sure that we are all champions of local music, local food, local drinks and most importantly local business.  That is the way we can all do our part to make Modesto stronger.  The more success we have, the more places will open and expand.  This is what makes us a desirable creative city.     Measure H needs to be well executed so that while this resurgence is happening, the City of Modesto is investing in what we need to do.   Make sure your needs and

demands are communicated to the city.  Know your councilmember, email them, follow them on social media and make sure that they are aware of what you want.   Then we can all know the plan and hold people accountable.

This month, Pride returns to Graceada Park on September 16 and it’s not just another year. LGBTQ+ attacks are on the rise. Seriously? Why should anyone get to decide who someone else loves? Let your beliefs and religion guide your own life and not others. Love and respect all.  Hate has no place here or in any community

Finally, as a musician, I know how cool the local music scene can be, and am stoked that we got noticed nationwide as the #1 under the radar music city.  Now, let’s do what we can to put us ON the radar. Make sure you vote for your favorites for the MAMA Awards, coming up in October.

Hope to see you all out and about and let’s all do our part to make things better.   ModestoView has been here since 1997, spreading the good information across our community.  Here we are over 25 years later, lighting the Positive Modesto beacon daily. Thanks to all that are a part of this crazy mission and I am grateful for all of you. Much respect to ALL.

Chris Murphy Founder and Publisher, ModestoView

chrism@modestoview.com

Cover Story

Two of Modesto great farmer’s markets are on the cover with sisters Antoinette and Marie Rodin.  Antoinette runs the Market at Oakdale and Claribel and Marie runs the Rodin Market at 10th and J downtown Modesto. Please stop by and check out the amazing fresh treats at their places.  They are showcasing tomatoes along with the beautiful mural by Francisco Franco ‘Corazon del Valle”.  ModestoView helped sponsor this Murals in Motown project.

Publisher Information MOPRIDE VIEW

PUBLISHER

Chris Murphy chrism@modestoview.com

SALES AND ADVERTISING

Advertising@modestoview.com

Managing Editor

Middagh Goodwin

DESIGN, LAYOUT, & ART

PGrimaldi, Creative

Art Director / Designer

Peter Grimaldi pete@pgrimaldicreative.com

Photo Director

Michael J. Mangano

Production Manager

Abigail Power

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS

Madison Leupp – Adobe Specialist

Brandon Brush - Correspondent

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jim Christiansen

Aaron Rowan

Abigail Power

Eric Benson

Middagh Goodwin

Harrison Power

Efren Martinez

Patty Castillo Davis

Grace McNamara

Salvatore Salerno

Mary Layton

Monica Barber

Brandilyn Mitchell

Tasha Wilson

Carly Russell

Steve Perry

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Efren Martinez

Diane Moody

Michael J Mangano

Philip Johnson

©2023 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The photographs, graphics, artwork and advertisements are the property of Modesto View Magazine. The magazine assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made by the advertisers. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflectthe views of Modesto View Magazine or the owners. Modesto View Magazine is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. All contributors for ModestoView are independent freelance journalists or photographers. Send ideas, tips & suggestions to: Info@modestoview.com

ModestoView

3731 Finch Rd

Modesto, CA 95357

MoPride in the Park!

By Abigail Power

ModestoView is always excited to share the positive, inclusive, and fun things to do in the community and MoPride in the Park is the PLACE TO BE this month! MoPride in the Park is presented by the Central Valley Pride Center and will take place on Saturday September 16th 2023 in Graceada Park. The festivities begin at 12:00 PM and is expected to be the largest Pride event ever in Modesto history! How cool is that! The event is free and will feature live musical and drag performances, over 100 vendors, and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy. Hosted by the magnificent, legendary Sasha Devaroe, the entire day will be jampacked with acceptance, joy, and most of all, PRIDE! We hope to see you all there to support the LGBTQ+ community and soak up the last days of summer together. Remember to celebrate our diversity and “don’t drag us down”!

Learn more at:

www.centralvalleypridecenter.org.

September 16th 2023 –Graceada Park 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM

By Chris Murphy

ART VIEW F all INTO ART

By Jim Christiansen

September is the month of Labor Day weekend, Oktoberfest season, Fall Festivals, and Fall Art Classes. The Third Thursday Art Walk is on September 14, and as Modesto View often focuses on music and community events, it’s worth noting that the art venues are multi-taskers. The Modesto Conservator, located on Kansas Avenue, is a creative spot for both music and art. The State Theatre hosts Art Walk artists and art films, and during the last event, they held a Paint-A-Long event, complete with a feature movie and a Q&A session with the filmmaker of the Colour of Ink. The Mistlin Gallery hosts the Grace Lieberman Cabaret series and is available for special event rentals, as is the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock. Dragonfly Art for Life hosted the Red Pony Trio and often books music guests. The first Friday DoMo market often has Chartreuse Muse artists on the sidewalk, and music plays in the background. The Peer Recovery Art Project is a regular performance spot with a gallery. This brings

me to the overlooked Art Walk regular, 18 Seventy Brewing. Dominic Johnson is their featured artist, but they also host concerts in their Beer Garden. The first concert this month is on September 2, to start the Labor Day weekend. If you like metal and beer, with art, check it out.

The Stanislaus Arts Council, aka the Mistlin Gallery, hosts the Grace Lieberman Cabaret series and presents “The Billie Holiday Project.” Stella Heath and an ensemble of Bay Area Jazz Musicians will explore the music of the legend. Art on the walls will be the CCAA Autumn Art Festival and fundraising members show. More music, food, and entertainment will be served up during the Fundraiser Gala on September 23. Tickets for both events are available at the gallery. Artist awards for the juried show will be presented at the Gala. Be sure to enter your People’s Choice selections during Art Walk and visits to the gallery. This show ends on October 18.

I missed the artist reception on August

5 at the Chartreuse Muse for the current exhibition, “The Landscape Through Their Eyes.” Impressive works are on the walls. If you’re looking for classes in ceramics, clay, or even anime filmmaking, check their class schedule on the chalkboard behind the counter.

The plein air work of Vince Walsh is featured for the next three months at Kruse Lucas Gallery at 525 Tully Road. While in the area, check out adult education classes at the MJC Art Department, and the Art Gallery will be hosting a show as the new semester is in session. While over in the area, it’s easy to visit the murals and evolution going on outside the Silos. Coming up on October 21 and 22 is the Fall 2023 Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend. Maps will be out this month, in print and online. Check that out on their Facebook page, or see the website stanislausaos.com. I will be one of the artists on the map, and they will be using a version of my map cover design used for the April Open Studio event.

Musician and friend Mike Allsup is playing a Rad Art Event in Stockton on October 7. Sponsored by Lovotti Pizza, The No Squares Group Art Show features six artists and Mike, from 5 to 10 PM. The address is 946 N Yosemite Street, Stockton. Support your local artists and visit local galleries and art-supporting Art Walk Venues.

BREW VIEW

Track 424: Keeping it Simple

I wasn’t expecting to be blown away when I parked my car in the Sciabica’s parking lot, mentally preparing myself for a BrewView interview. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I was in the right place. When I walked in the gift shop and saw dozens of flavors of olive oil, I thought, “Oh this is such a fun little gift shop!” As I was looking around, I saw a fridge packed to the brim with Track 424 canned beer, next to a merch rack and a small kegerator with 3 taps. I asked the cashier if this was the tasting room. “Oh no! That’s through there.” she answered, pointing to a pair of closed doors. Ah, what surprises await me on the other side of those doors?

It wasn’t long before I was introduced to the Track 424 BrewCrew. In the order I met them: Craig Hilliker, Bob Proffitt, Andrew Sciabica and Jonathan Sciabica. Craig is a certified Master Sensory Analyst of Olive Oil and has been with Sciabica for nearly 8 years. Bob earned his BS in Nutrition before earning a second BS in Fermentation Science. His journey started at Dogfish Head Brewery and then Samuel Adams. He comes to the team with tons of nuanced knowledge. Andrew, a 5th generation olive oil producer, grew up in the family business, but found that he could leverage his culinary training with the Track 424 project – already planning an Oktoberfest food pairing experience (with Bauhaus) on September 22nd. And Jonathan? He’s the CEO of Sciabica’s Olive Oil who happens to be a craft beer enthusiast and brewer as well. Jonathan and Craig bonded over their love of craft beer and had a crazy idea: to start a brewery!

“As beer lovers, we began with a mission to bring to the world of brewing the same artisan approach we use for olive oil: work backwards from a desired flavor profile to select the right methods and best ingredi-

By Brandilyn Mitchell

ents to craft flavor that is pure pleasure for your taste buds.” The family says. The best way to do that? Making so many SMASH brews (aka single-malt and single-hop beers), that they can’t even count them all. Brewing such “simple beers” allowed them to truly taste each individual ingredient and nail down how every little tweak in the recipe changed the end product. Jonathan explains, “From inception, we wanted to obsess about the beer process from fermentation to temperature, to PH and carbonation to create the perfect beer every time. By focusing on a small number of craft brews, we have the opportunity and time to review every batch meticulously. Keeping it simple and building on those recipes allows us to obsess over every little detail.”

Their Research and Development whiteboard was incredible to look at-when I say these brewers really study, dissect and hone every ingredient, I mean it. They started brewing on a Grainfather system. To this day, they will start recipe development on the Grainfather and tweak it until it’s perfect. Then they’ll scale up for production in the larger SS Brewtech Brewhouse. “Water really sets us apart in the industry. We only use the well water from the Sciabica property. We send it off periodically to be tested and then we balance the minerals and Ph to be exactly what we want depending on the style we are brewing.” said Bob. I was able to sample both the On The Bright Track

and the Imperial Stout on the tour. They are both solid beers I would drink again and again.

The beer that got them into beer? No surprises in their choices: Bob’s gateway beer was at first Pabst Blue Ribbon, then he graduated to Odell Brewing’s IPA. What got him into brewing was his roommate in college always bringing his dad’s homebrew back to share. Craig’s was hard cider, and he started to make his own with Apple Hill apples. He would juice them himself for his cider. Now THAT is dedication! Jonathan’s is the delicious and well-known Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Andrew is the odd man out with not just one beer getting him into the hobby, but having an introductory craft beer tasting on his 21st birthday and his taste buds exploding from happiness. He was hooked.

Track 424 comes from the name of the rail line right outside their facility that is still in use today. They are planning something fun every time a train goes by the brewery, and although I won’t ruin the surprise by sharing their ideas, I do promise that whichever idea they choose will add to the worth a taproom excursion!

When they started over a year ago, it was with pre-sales of On The Bright Track IPA in cans. Now the taproom is open! An incredible dream became reality! What’s coming down the pipe? “We really want to

do ‘Education of Beer’ flight nights, like a Beer 101 class, where it’s similar to a wine or olive oil tasting. Talking about every ingredient, it’s importance in the process, how different styles came about and the general history of beer.” Jonathan answered excitedly. It is easy to see his enthusiasm for flavorful beers. They’re keeping it simple with 3 flagships: a Pilsner, a Hazy IPA, and a West Coast IPA with quarterly seasonals like a fest beer (think Oktoberfest or Marzen), Imperial Stout, and a Hefeweizen. As if that weren’t enough, they are soon planting their own hops, Cashmere and Cascade, to wet-hop some styles in the future. They also see some “hopyard parties” in the works in their hopyard at the Sciabica farm.

If you attended the grand opening on August 26th, post and hashtag your photos on your socials with #modestoview! Stay up to date with their hours and special events on their facebook. Sip on, friends!

UPCOMING TRACK424 EVENTS:

September 22nd, 2023: Oktoberfest

Beer & Food Pairing -

Ticket Required: Track424.events

October 5th, 2023:

Taproom officially opens to the public Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays

Track 424 Brewery

2150 Yosemite Blvd

Modesto, California

(209) 577-5067

Track424.com

facebook.com/track424brewery instagram.com/track424brewery

Hidden Gem No More

By Middagh Goodwin

Eye On Modesto Hip Hop Culture

By Joseph Zimmerer

In August a poll was published that ranked Modesto the #1 hidden gem of live music out of 120 cities across the US. The online music surveyed 3,000 adults, taking into consideration factors such as age, gender, and location. They referenced our diverse musical scene from Mancini Bowl, the Gallo Center, and Music in the Plaza.

“Downtown Modesto comes alive with “Music in the Plaza” during summers, where local musicians serenade the streets.”

It goes without saying that those of us who live, play, and promote music already knew that we had something special. Great music schools like VMI and GKMusic preparing the next generation of musicians and the wealth of players who have put in decades playing live in and around Modesto.

Let’s highlight a few events that were not mentioned but are key to making Modesto the musical gem it is. The fan and band favorites Porchfest which happens yearly in May, Modstock which brings youth and established bands together every August, Blue Monday(twice a month at Urbano), Eric Benson’s Jazz Jam, and let us not forget about the incredible open mics that happen all over the 209.

We are blessed with a wealth of singer-

songwriters who perform at our local cafes, restaurants, and breweries as well. There is something for just about everyone in Modesto, Blues, Punk, Metal, Ska, and Reggae, to some solid tribute and cover bands that play regularly.

We honor the venues, bands, solo performers, and events with the Modesto Area Music Awards this year on October 17th at the State Theatre. Voting will go live midSeptember at www.modestoareamusic.com, you still have a few weeks to get your nominees into us by emailing mamarecords209@ gmail.com.

I urge any business that has space to open it up to our local artists and performers and give them a place to showcase their creative spirit. It is a win-win situation, you will not just be helping to develop the next crop of Modesto talent you will get a new and varied customer base. For everyone else go out and catch some live entertainment or stroll the Third Thursday Art Walk, and find out for yourself why Modesto is the #1 hidden gem of live music in America.

Bands/Musicians send radio-ready tracks to mamarecords209@gmail.com for consideration to be played on KCBP 95.5 FM Modesto Community Radio.

Capturing Modesto Hip Hop And Nightlife With Salva Gucci.

Over the last several years Central Valley nightlife has welcomed some lesser known hip hop acts that have risen to quite a bit of fame, many of which were introduced to Modesto California by a family of creatives called the A-Team, and if you were to take a peek on their social media pages you would find pictures of good looking, happy party goers, enjoying themselves, and behind the camera, Salva Gucci

Who is Salvagucci?

Salvador Segovia a creative born and raised in the Central Valley.

Tell us about how you got into photography?

My mom sparked an interest while watching her film all our family memories. Fast forward to my teenage years I heavily got into skateboarding and I wanted to capture all the memories of the crew skating.So I picked up a camcorder and started filming. A couple year later I upgraded to a DSLR camera and the rest is history.

What type of photos are you taking?

Nightlife, special events and concerts, but I also like to shoot portraits and product photography.

Name some concerts have you shot?

I’ve taken photos for our shows (A-Team) such as Shoreline Mafia, Larry June, Gwapdad 4000, All Black, all of which were in Modesto. As for out of town events, I was a part of the Bounce Back concert in Stockton that featured Y.G., Mozzy, Haiti Babii.

Do you have a group of photographers you work with or are you a stand alone photographer?

Yes, I’m a stand alone photographer but depending on the project I work alongside a team of talented individuals.

What has been the highlight of your photography journey so far?

Being surrounded by creatives with different talents from DJs, photographers, videographers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Do you have a favorite photo you have taken? (Elaborate)

I have a couple important times in my life that I captured photos of, most of which got lost in my hard drive.

Puerto Vallarta, MX in 2022. My mom is from Puerto Vallarta so we went to visit my whole family. It was special. I was able to take photos of my grandparents. I don’t really have much family out here, so it meant a great deal to me. Taking photos with Dj Gio for the first time. It felt like an introduction to the industry in the Bay Area. He will be missed.

Where can one get a hold of you(Insta, email, phone, website) stuff like that.

IG: @_salvagucci

Email: salvaguccifoto@gmail.com

Located at the corner of 13th and J Streets is Intermission, the newest venture expanding on the offerings of the historic State Theatre. Intermission, which will be opening at the end of September, will offer patrons something unique to Downtown: a cocktail lounge, classroom, and community space. While classic cocktails, mocktails, and light food fare will be available during regular business hours (Thursday-Saturday 4:00PM-11:00PM/Sunday 12:00PM5:00PM), the State Theatre Board and Executive Director envision Intermission as an Art Deco-inspired space that can accommodate a variety of opportunities for curated events, private parties, and live

By Harrison Power

entertainment. As a community space, the Intermission team will be collaborating with local artists, filmmakers, comedians, poets, and numerous community organizations to cultivate a rich calendar of activities catering to diverse interests and audiences. Whether catching a pre-movie cocktail before heading over to the State or Jewel, attending a themed movie night, or showing up for live comedy, there will truly be an experience for everyone of all ages at Intermission.

When doors open at the end of the month, stop by Intermission to enjoy and check out Downtown’s newest offering, and stay tuned for upcoming events and performances!

GO MODESTO

Beatles and the Monkees

By Chris Murphy

Something amazing is happening this month!

Both the Beatles and the Monkees will be in Modesto in the same week. This is really the coolest. Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer representing the world’s greatest band ever, will be in Modesto on September 16 with his All Star Band at the Fruityard.

A

Beatle, in Modesto!

Just two days earlier, Micky Dolenz, the drummer for the world’s greatest TV band ever will be performing the hits of the Monkees and more. This will be a great week of rock and roll as we get to hear the hits of the Beatles and the Monkees in just a couple of days.

From I Wanna Be Your Man, Octopus Garden and Photograph to Pleasant Valley Sunday, I’m a Believer, and Stepping Stone, these great hits will be live in our city. Do not miss out.

Ringo is currently sold out but there may some tix available as showtime gets closer. www.ticketmaster.com

Micky Dolenz tickets are availale at www.galloarts.com

Ringo Starr

Micky Dolenz

ELKS LODGE BUILDING

By Harrison Power OLD

All About That Bass, ‘Bout That Bass

by Aaron Rowan

At the corner of 13th and I Streets in Modesto is City Landmark #28: the Old Elks Lodge Building. While Modesto Lodge No. 1282 of the Brotherhood of the Protective Order of Elks no longer owns or uses the building, the iconic brick structure has served the community and provided downtown storefronts for over 95 years. Other early brick buildings that still exist in Modesto often were covered with stucco to secure the brick facades and adjust to changing style preferences. Over the years, the Old Elks Lodge never was stuccoed, and overall has been well preserved in its original character and architectural detail with some but few changes to its appearance. For being one of two remaining examples of early fraternal organization buildings in downtown, and for its historical and architectural significance, the City Council designated the Old Elks Lodge a City Landmark in 1996.

The “New Elks Building” at 1222 I Street was the second home of Lodge No. 1282 after the association moved from their first meeting hall located at 723 10th Street, which had been paid for and built by John Tully. The cornerstone was laid on February 23, 1925 with many Elks members from across Northern California in attendance. Starting from the Lodge on 10th Street, members and Grand Lodge officials paraded to the site of the new building led by the Modesto Band. Construction was completed by July of that year, at a cost of $135,000, with the formal opening ceremony held in the Lodge Room on July 3, 1925. Many speakers marked the occasion, including celebratory remarks given by Modesto Mayor Sol P. Elias.

The three-story steel and brick building was designed and constructed by the firm of Davis, Heller, and Pearce from Stockton, and was referred to in the Modesto News Herald as one of “the finest fraternal homes on the Pacific coast.” The first floor provided six storefronts, while the upper

levels and basement were strictly for club member use. The second story included club rooms, a buffet kitchen, and the Lodge Room which accounted for half of the second floor and had ceilings that were two stories tall. The third floor contained a ballroom, library, and banquet room. The basement provided club members with a stage and gymnasium, consisting of a bowling alley, handball court, punching bags, and showers. The façade is adorned with cast concrete decoration and trim, with the crowning feature being the prominent Elk bust, which still looks over passersby today.

At some point after the Great Depression hit, the Elks no longer were able to make payments on the building and the mortgage company holding the loan went under, with ownership being assumed by Jim Rice with the winning bid. Rice went on to rent the building to the Elks for $250 until they moved to their third meeting hall at 945 McHenry Avenue after its completion in 1949. The Old Elks Building was then sold to the Cannery Workers Union, Local 748 of the International Teamsters Union (now Local #948), which still has their offices in the building today. It is under ownership of the Teamsters Union that in 1955 union Secretary H.C. Torreano installed a boxing ring in the basement gifted by champion boxer Jack Dempsey.

My friend Chris, a.k.a., Prairie Flower, is the proud owner of the most beautiful instrument I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s an upright bass painted with a desert evening scene, complete with a cactus and a longhorn skull. Prairie Flower is one-third of a Modesto area favorite: old-timey trio Faux Renwah. If you’ve seen her band and her bass, you’ll appreciate what a spread of ear AND eye candy it all is.

A bass of a different kind is behind one of the most memorable moments of music I’ve experienced in Modesto. This bass belongs to another performer with roots in our county. It’s the rich bass-baritone voice of opera star Nathan Stark, who returns this month for another recital brought to you by Opera Modesto.

Nathan has gone from his hometown of Hughson to singing onstage at the Metropolitan Opera; appearing at venues throughout the US, Europe & China; earning vocal competition awards from San Diego to Cincinnati to Forth Worth; and even performing for an American president and a couple of first ladies on one occasion. The last time I saw him sing up close in Modesto, his program included a version of the noted Scottish folk ballad ‘Loch Lomond.’ His rendition is one of a handful of pieces that have stayed fresh in my mind years after the fact. What a spectacular, spirited delivery. Nathan, good sir, if you’re a reader of the View and this

reaches you in time, I’m requesting that song once again at your concert here.

On September 17, Nathan will be joined by another veteran of Opera Modesto productions: basso profundo John Ames, who will help us explore the age-old question, “How low can you go?” The Sunday matinee, titled Basso Bravado!, sees these two deep and rich voices come together for a memorable program indeed. You may have read the recent news where Modesto was surveyed as having the greatest under-the-radar music scene in America. Quoting the press release: “.....brimming with a unique musical scene that’s both diverse and engaging.” Having spent years enjoying (and curating) much of the freshest and most eclectic live music programming our city has to offer, I can tell you that it’s outfits like Opera Modesto that best embody that description. Enjoy an afternoon of song like only Opera Modesto does, at 2 PM on 9/17, at the Mistlin Gallery. General admission is $30, or take up a seat at a VIP table for $50. Mark your calendar as well for our next epic collaboration together, the annual ‘Around The World’ multilingual concert on December 3. Be a part of this most glorious time in Modesto’s live music history, and be there for these fantastic operatic events.

Intimate performances. Infinite playlist. MODESTO UNPLUGGED modestounplugged.com.

NON PROFIT VIEW

By Chris Murphy

We have so many wonderful non-profits in our community. Did you know that Modesto’s famous car shows are operated by non-profits?  Did you know that the proceeds from these car shows go back into our community.   The Modesto Street Rod Association presents the first big car show of the year at McHenry Village, the first Sunday of June. This year they celebrated the 70th of the Corvette and raised some much-needed funds for local non-profits.

This year, the MSRA with leaders Steve Cunha, Jerry Sauls and Ray Lee donated proceeds to these really wonderful organizations: Children’s Crisis Center, Covenant Care Hospice,  Making Strides for Cancer, Graffiti USA Museum

Tisha Chang & Janice Vella of Tiny Tims accepted for the Childrens’ Crisis Center.  Cathy Morelli accepted the donation for Covenant Care Hospice.   Cancer survivor Susie Power accepted for Making Strides

for Cancer and Cecil Russell and Chris Murphy accepted for the Graffiti Museum.  Modesto is fortunate to have so many great volunteers and so many are grateful for these contributions.  We thank the Modesto Street Rodders for their dedication and support.

Coming Soon!

United Way Power of Purse -  Oct 4 Register now - https://uwaystan.org/ power-of-the-purse

GO MODESTO Music in the Plaza

September is the last month for this year’s Music in the Plaza, we have had some amazing performances over the last several months. NAACP networking mixer on the 1st by popular demand is Nat Bolden and the State of Mind Blues Band. An audience favorite is the femalefronted Remedy who returns on the 8th playing all your favorite hits. Celebrating Mexican Heritage Month on the 15th is Orquestra Dharma, come on out shop the vendors, and enjoy this fantastic group of musicians. Closing out the season and playing Music in the Plaza for the first time is Autumn’s Garden playing 80-90s alternative rock. As always come out early and grab a seat in front of the stage or on one of the great downtown patios.

We want to once again thank all our sponsors VisitModesto, Downtown Improvement District, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group, Collins Electric, Fuzio, City of Modesto, Brenden, Modesto Area Music Awards, and ModestoView

Did you know?

- There are thought to be more than 3,000 varieties of heirloom or heritage tomatoes currently being grown globally, and more than 15,000 known varieties in total.

- Tomatoes and tomato products are rich sources of folate, vitamin C, and potassium. Relative to phytonutrients, the most abundant in tomatoes are the carotenoids

- The English word for tomato comes from the Spanish word tomate, which itself came from the Nahuatl, the ancient Aztec language, word tomatl. The Aztec name translated to “Plump thing with a navel.”

- Found at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA, the largest single tomato plant in the world covers an area of 56.73 metres sq - bigger than an Olympic size swimming pool!

- Here in the US, tomatoes are mostly grown in California. Florida and California account for at least 70% of the whole U.S. tomato production. California alone accounts for 95% of the processed tomato production, so the sauces and salsas you’re buying most likely came from California.

- La Tomatina is an annual festival in Spain, where people throw 150,000 tomatoes at each other. There are around 10,000 varieties of tomatoes worldwide. Instead of having this festival here, how about we create a Tomato Festival? It would be pretty tasty and we are in the center of the growing region.

- According to the USDA, Americans eat 22-24 pounds of tomatoes per person, per year and roughly half of that comes in the form of ketchup and tomato sauce. So we had better get going!

Please share your tomato ideas with us. @modestoview   info@modestoview.com

MARTINA MCBRIDE

SEPTEMBER 10 - SOLD OUT!

DAUGHTRY

BARE BONES TOUR

SEPTEMBER 13

THE MONKEES CELEBRATED BY MICKY DOLENZ

SEPTEMBER 14

Sponsored by U.S. Bank

THE TEMPTATIONS & THE FOUR TOPS

SEPTEMBER 15 - SOLD OUT!

Sponsored by The Save Mart Companies

CLINT BLACK

SEPTEMBER 16

Sponsored by Hilmar Cheese Company & Oak Valley Community Bank

BRIAN REGAN

SEPTEMBER 22

FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 24 FREE EVENT!

Co-presented by City of Modesto

AGA-BOOM

THEATRE OF PHYSICAL COMEDY & CIRCUS ARTS

SEPTEMBER 24

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER

ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS

SEPTEMBER 30

Premier partner Doctors Medical Center

Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Modesto

INTER VIEW

by Middagh Goodwin

I’m a Daydream

MickyBeliever:Dolenz

On September 14th, nearly 57 years after the Monkees first appeared on TV(September 12, 1966), Micky Dolenz will celebrate the Monkees at the Gallo Center for the Arts by playing hits such as “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” and more, as well as songs off the band’s #1 selling third album Headquarters.

Modesto View: So, I’m very excited to talk to you and have you coming back to the Gallo Center on September 14th, I believe the last time you played here was in 2016. What can fans expect to see and hear?

Micky Dolenz: Yes, I do. I am happy to pay tribute to each of the guys with their own video stuff. I do all the hits. That’s important to note. I always have, and I always will because I know that the audience is there to hear those big hits. “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “Not Your Stepping Stone,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” And then a lot of the album cuts from Headquarter which is the album that they gave us permission to create. It did very well and ended up at number one for many weeks until we were kicked out of number one by Sergeant Pepper by The Beatles. That’s not a bad way to go, right?

MV: The Monkees played their first show in Hawaii back in December 1967. You pretty much innovated the use of multimedia having bits from the TV show in the live performance, that you now use to bring to life the rest of the band.

MD: You’re right, as far as I know, we were

the first ones to ever bring multimedia. And it was pretty crude. It was literally big 16-millimeter theater projectors. Well, it could have been 35. Yeah. But it probably was 16, stuck up behind us. It was the first time to my knowledge that anybody has done that, which is an incredible feat.

MV: And then, of course, it’s no coincidence that in the 80s, MTV brought the Monkees back, you were kind of the first videos to be created.

MD: It was a big hit on MTV. We didn’t call them videos at the time, but it’s what they became. They were romps, videos didn’t exist. That was the way to get the songs into the show. Usually, it was a charge or maybe Davy walking along the beach looking for the girl or something

MV: Not many bands have a fan base that you guys have created over the years. And it’s pretty incredible, some of the bands that have covered your music, are the Sex Pistols, the Untouchables, Smashmouth, Shonen Knife, and Run DMC. The influence crosses generations and genres. That must make you feel good.

MD: It does. It does, but I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to the song-

writers. We had some of the most incredible songwriters of our generation, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Carole King, and Gerry Goffin, Neil Diamond, Neil Sadaka, Harry Nielsen, and David Gates, incredible songwriters. When you start with good material, it’s kind of hard to screw it up.

MV: I’ve read is the intention was almost from the beginning that you guys would be playing live and touring.

MD: Yes otherwise, they wouldn’t have bothered casting musicians. They would have said, Okay, we’re just going to do this TV show, we don’t need musicians. But each one of us could play. Peter was the most proficient in different instruments. He went to a music conservatory. Mike was excellent on the guitar, especially the 12-string. I played the guitar at the time. Acoustic. But not drums. My audition piece was “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, on the guitar. And then they told me, you’re going to be the drummer. I’m an actor. I’ve been on TV. I had my own series. And so I knew the drill. I said, you know, okay, fine, I do play guitar. They said we have enough guitar players. You’re the drummer. And I said, great. Where do I start? I had a few months to learn what I had to learn. But

that’s how it all came together.

MV: Yeah, it’s definitely an incredible story to see, especially with some of the guys who tried out for the parts to see you four guys connect and create something magical and beautiful. It has been said that The Monkees wanted to be the Beatles in the show. Did you ever meet the Beatles?

MD: Oh, yes, many times. And they got it. It’s actually funny because a lot of the groups and people in England got the Monkees more than some of the people here. Probably because there was already a tradition of comedy, satirical kind of shows, and goofy kind of shows on television in England more than it was here. I think it was John Lennon who said the Monkees are like the Marx Brothers. And he was absolutely correct. Great compliment. We made our contribution, I think, to the cultural landscape.

MV: I believe 100% you guys did. Now on a different note, another musical icon outside the Monkees and the Beatles. How did Jimmy Hendrix become the opening act for the 67 tour?

Photo of Micky w John Lennon.

Credit:  Richard Creamer/ Michael Ochs Archives

MD: That was me, I had seen him in New York as a sideman for another group. And he was getting hot and known as, well, he was Jimmy James at the time. But this guy, he could play guitar with his teeth. I saw him again at the Monterey Pop Festival. I brought it up to the production team and the rest of the guys for Jimi to be the opening act. I guess his people liked the idea and lo and behold, he was on tour and I got some wonderful photographs that I took of him backstage.

MV: How did the audience take Hendrix?

MD: Well, some okay, but It’s kind of typical in that situation opening act for a big headliner and 99% of the fans are there to see the headliner and his music was quite different from ours. We loved it We thought it was unbelievable But the fans, were anxious and they wanted to hear the Monkees Jimi was a lovely guy very quiet and kind of shy a little naive, totally unlike his persona on stage a great guy, very cool.

MV: Let’s go off-topic a little bit. This is a question our Publisher asked: Who was your favorite musician from Laurel Canyon?

MD: Oh, wow. That’s impossible. It would depend on the genre that you’re talking about because there was everybody from Frank Zappa to Joni Mitchell to the Turtles and Alice Cooper... it is a hard question with the wealth of talent that came out of that area.

MV - It’s said that between ‘67 and ‘68, the Monkees outsold both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. So with that said, this is the patented ModestoView question: Beatles or Rolling Stones?

MD - Oh, again, I can’t. The music is so different. That’s like saying Alice Cooper or Tony Bennett. I love both. I love Tony Bennett and love Alice Cooper, and I love the Stones and I love the Beatles and I love Sinatra and, you know.

MV: Anything more you would like to add?

MD: I would also like to mention that I have a book coming out called “I’m Told I Had a Good Time.” It’s a picture book of things from my archives, mostly pictures that I took of us, the Monkees. I mention Jimi Hendrix and other friends of mine at the time, such as Stephen Stills and Mama Cass, and all kinds of stuff. It’s coming out in November. I just wanted to make a note of it. But that’s what you can expect. If you liked any of the Monkees’ music from that era, then you won’t be disappointed.

Tickets available at the box office or galloarts.org

BIG VIEW hey hey hey!

here come the tomatoes

How did this start?

By Chris Murphy

Yes friends, they are everywhere, by the millions, in thousands of trucks, thousands of acres, and the smell of tomatoes is in the air, especially around our local processors like Stanislaus Foods in downtown Modesto.  I have a special ringside seat to this as our company, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group supports our regional producers, shipping tens of thousands of pallets and bins each year out to the rest of the USA.  It is truly mind-blowing to see how many tomatoes come of our area and to see the varieties and quantities of tomatoes in our local markets.  Our region really does literally “feed the world”.

Traditionally, from the 4th of July to the middle of October, the roads are filled with tomato trucks, bringing the fresh fruit from all over our region.  Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced Counties are the epicenter of USA tomato production, with Stanislaus Foods here in downtown Modesto, ConAgra / Hunt Wesson in Oakdale, Escalon Packers in Escalon, Morningstar, Liberty, Paradise, Kagome, and Ingomar in the Los Banos area.  Just as Gallo is the largest winery in the world, the Morningstar/Liberty group is the largest supplier of processed tomatoes in the USA.

TOMATOES • TOMATOES • TOMATOES • TOMATOES

Sweet or Savory?

There are a wide range of tomatoes, from the sweet Cherry or Grape tomatoes to the deep rich Roma, with low seed count density and hearty skins, destined for a pizza or pasta sauce.  There are so many unique Heirloom tomatoes of every color and size that make the world of the fresh tomato so beautiful and interesting.  And of course, there are the green tomatoes, some slightly underripe and tart, to those Heirlooms bred to be green.  Whatever your preference, tomatoes are delicious and nutritious and our area is the global home of tomatoes.

Back in the 30s and 40s, Italian families relocated to our area as the weather and soil was similar to back home and population encroached on their family farms in the bay area. Augustino Gellasso purchased land off of St. Francis Avenue in 1918. Anté Rodin (founder of Original Joe’s) purchased land off of Claribel Rd in 1941 and began farming the foods of his heritage. Cristoforo Columbo in Escalon and the Ratto Family have been farming tomatoes and other produce in our area since the 1940s and 1960s.  There are so many more and these are just a few of our farming pioneers.

The key question.

Are tomatoes a fruit or a vegetable?

The Reagan administration famously determined “Ketchup” to be a vegetable back in the day, but actually, botanically, the Tomato is a fruit, a giant berry actually, that contains its own seeds and comes from a flower. Same goes for pumpkins, cucumbers and the like.  But it doesn’t simply end there. It gets a bit more interesting when it comes to the nutritional or culinary definition.  Since it is basically savory and for the main course, it falls into line with other vegetables.  So, it can be nutritionally classified as a vegetable.  US Customs weighed in in 1893, even going to trial to confirm that tomatoes were a vegetable for tariff reasons.  It’s all about the money.

So, the answer is both, but since science tips the scales, it’s a fruit.

Ok let’s start finding things to eat.

Let’s start fresh at Rodin Ranch Markets. The Rodin sisters have two different markets, Marie in downtown Modesto on 10th and J open Monday through Sat and Antoinette on the original farm at Claribel and Oakdale Road,  open daily.   Do not miss the Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market, open on 16th St on Thursday and Saturday mornings.   This month you will find nearly every kind of tomato available.  It is an absolute wonderful time to eat fresh, while the canneries pack food for the entire world.  There are many farmer’s markets and roadside stands in our area loaded with fresh treats.

Variety!

There is so much to choose from, from full bodied to grab ‘n go. Here are just a few of the varieties and the way you can regularly get through fresh markets, food service or retail:   Heirloom, Roma, Plum, Cherry, Beefsteak, Tomatillo, Roma Whole, Half, Paste, Ground, Crushed, Puree, Diced, Fire Roasted, Green Diced, Green Crushed,  Fire Crushed, Dark Fire Crushed,  Fire Diced, Chipotle, Smoked and so many more.  Stanislaus Food sauces are normally just sold through food service, but you can find them locally at Rodin and other local markets.

Anté Rodin

Marie and Antoinette Rodin

Are you hungry yet?

Pasta and Pizza Sauce

Here is where our region shines the most.  With our abundance of fresh tomatoes,  special pasta sauce recipe is the foundation of any great Italian restaurant.  Local places like Ciao Bella, Galletto, Verona, Gusto Italiano, Palermo, Surla’s, Pastas Pronto, Papapolloni, have recipes that are out of this world. There is even an Italian food truck in the Grubhub, Braulio’s.  Sadly, we lost Chefs of New York and hope that Vinnie will be back somewhere soon.

It’s not all spaghetti and meatballs

There are so many sauce varieties that included the basic...

Fried Green Tomatoes?

If you thought that this was just a southern thing, you can actually find these here in Modesto at Harvest Moon thanks to Jessie Wiggins’ South Carolina roots and her team.   I had these this week and it feels like I am in the deep south and they are delicious.

100% Winner

For fresh tomatoes, one of the all-time greats is the BLT, bacon, lettuce and tomato. Crispy toasted bread, lettuce and some mayo, this is one of the best ever sandwiches.

Soups!

Don’t you love a good tomato soup?  This is a staple since you were a kid.  An amazing tomato bisque (with some Lobster). or a grill cheese and tomato soup warms up any fall or winter day.

Bloody Mary

Green Sauce? Red Sauce? Salsa?

Ragu,  Marinara, Bolognese, Pomodoro, Puttanesca and the spicy Arrabbiatta that all are wonderful uses of fresh tomatoes and premium pasta sauces.  Needless to say, there are thousands of other creations out there. Check out the menus as most of our local chefs use and promote our local sauces like Stanislaus.

Appetizers

One of the best fresh tomato appetizers is Bruschetta.  Paired with the right bread it’s amazing.  Then you have fresh tomatoes and burrata.   At home, one of the best appetizers and snacks you can make is fresh mozzarella, slice tomatoes and Balsamic vinegar (you can add chopped basil to, I don’t)  Yum.  Do not over look these on our local menus.

Pizza

Yes, just yes.  You can get some amazing flatbreads and pizza with the most amazing flavors.  Galletto, Surla’s, Rancho Fresco have amazing pizza ovens and don’t forget Paul’s Rustic you can find around town.  We need more pizza downtown and everywhere.

All of these amazing sauces you can get with Chile Verde, Colorado and so much more add flavors that we all love. No salsa is complete without diced and crushed fresh tomatoes. There are even some fire roasted and chipotle salsas you can get premade.

Ketchup

You know the famous ketchups, “Anticipation” was one of the famous ads in the 70s and 80s.   But this standard and basic condiment has evolved in so many ways.

Sun Dried Tomatoes

This is a taste sensation that is a game changer. From salads, pizzas, and toppings, you can get this great and intense tomato flavor and are a great addition to most pasta dishes, especially those with olives. Great combo.  Traina Foods in Patterson makes a sun dried Ketchup that will turn the ordinary ground beef patty into a gourmet meal.  Don’t judge until you have tried it, it needs to be in your refrigerator now.

No weekend brunch or morning golf game should start without a nice Bloody Mary.  These are really specialties of the house and most places have their own special recipe from regular to fire-breathingsinus-opening spicy.  Many of our local places have elaborate custom Bloodies, with bacon, small sandwiches, a variety of veggies and even French toast! Check out the French Toast Bloody from Harvest Moon.   Talk to your local bartender and see what you can create.  Odds are, if your fave restaurant has a brunch, they have a custom Bloody.

Michelada

Blood Mary, meet beer.  Beer, meet Bloody Mary.  What more do you need to know?  Most places make a Michelada and your fave Mexican restaurant should have a spicy house specialty.

Clamato?

Yes, it’s a thing.  I know plenty of people that love Clamato juice with Vodka.  Hey, I don’t judge.

The amazing thing is, these products all come from our area.  Stanislaus and Merced Counties have the largest tomato processors in the USA.   90% of all of the tomatoes consumed, come from California, in particular our region.  So be proud, be tomato friendly, and explore the amazing tastes we have in our area.  We supply most of the world’s tomatoes, have the world’s largest winery, we are the Home of American Graffiti, and the birthplace of Rockabilly and we have so many great people and local businesses, you gotta love it.

I hope to see you out and about enjoying our locals life and please feel free to share your favorites as I know there are so many local options we did not have room for on these pages.

chrism@modestoview.com or comment @modestoview on the socials.

Surla’s Marghereta Pizza

Harvest Moon’s Fried Green Tomatoes

Tomato Soup from Picasso Deli

Celebrate Richard Mulholland with the Sun Kings

Richard Mulholland, special friend and long time supporter of the arts and concerts in the Modesto area  recently passed away.  Richard’s wish was for people to make any remembrances to either Center for Human Services or Red Tie Arts. A very special concert project and fundraiser has been planned to honor his request to help with Red Tie Arts’ children’s scholarship and grants creating a new annual Richard Mulholland Memorial Scholarship

John Griswold and the Red Tie arts are very proud to present one of Richard’s Favorite bands for this fundraiser...The Sun Kings.  This is one of the best Beatle replica bands around.  This is not a Beatle tribute band, but a true recreation of their amazing sound.  You will be blown away.

Saturday, September 30.

Showroom, Papapolini Mediterranean Bistro

2501 McHenry Avenue, Modesto.

Doors 6:30, the show 7:30

Optional dining is available, as well as a full bar.  A dance floor too Tickets are available at  www.redtiearts.org

Call or email John at 209-543-4261 or mejohn@live.com

Local Children ’ s Author Maureen Lemos

Helps Kids to Fall in Love with Cows

By Brandilyn Mitchell

MV: Your rhyming scheme is really simple, as a result your these stories are easy to read and are short enough to hold every kid’s attention span. Was that something you were aiming for or was it happenstance as you wrote them?

While shopping the Thursday Modesto Certified Farmers Market recently, I met Maureen Lemos-a children’s author of two books, “Clarice the Red Cow” and “Clarice the Red Cow Has a Surprise”. Her booth caught my eye because there were adorable tiny stuffed cows all over it–I’m a sucker for plushies. Living in the agriculturally rich valley my whole life, I am also no stranger to cows. If your kids loves cows, you’ll need to check out these cute little stories!

Maureen is an author, professional photographer and California dairy farmer-even serving on the California Milk Advisory Board Executive Committee and Dairy Council of California. Her husband is a third-generation dairy farmer at Lockwood III Dairy, and their son has carried on the family heritage, starting his own dairy, Lemos Jerseys in 2017. The family is passionate about taking the very best care of their animals and land and truly enjoy sharing what they’re doing with you! From on-farm visits to virtual tours, they’ll tell you all about where your food comes from, what steps they’re taking to improve farming methods and be more sustainable, and caring for animals and the environment.

ModestoView: Hi Maureen! Thanks for taking time out to talk to ModestoView about your books. Please tell us about your beloved characters, Clarice and Mitzi.  ML: The story of Clarice was written in memory of my very special red Holstein cow, and based on our real-life bond and friendship. Each page in the book was inspired by a photo that I have turned into a story. Mitzi is Clarice’s daughter, and first calf. Everyone loves Mitzi! She is very sweet, and loves attention. She comes running when she hears my voice, and follows me wherever I go. She is almost 4 years old and is the largest cow at the dairy. She stands out, not only with her beautiful color and fun personality, but also her size! She was Clarice’s first calf, but definitely has her own unique look and personality.

ML: My goal when writing my books was to make them fun to read and enjoyable to look at, and hopefully something children would want to read again and again! I love to see children with books in their hands! Being a Dairy Farmer, my hope was that children would enjoy reading about my special friendship with Clarice, learn what a dairy farm is, and how we care for our cows. Being a Board Member for the California Milk Advisory Board and The California Dairy Council, I am passionate about agriculture and nutrition education. I hope to open doors for people to learn more about where their food comes from, and the nutritional value of dairy products. Being a children’s book author is another opportunity to bridge that gap, as I do book readings and speaking engagements, sharing my story about Clarice and our dairy.

Reading “Clarice the Red Cow”, I was fondly looking back on an article I wrote to promote “Ag in Motion”, which was the mobile science classroom that toured Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. I was talking to a little boy who was absolutely shocked to learn cows were NOT the size of dogs. “They are REALLY BIG!” he said, moving his arm up over his head. “But you can still pet them.” I thought to myself how lucky that cow was to get pats and scritches from happy, adoring kids and how happy Clarice must’ve been, to be loved and appreciated in the same way on her farm. I’ll always think of that when I read this book to my daughter and nephews.  Reading to your kids is so important-not just for the educational aspect of letter recognition, learning sight words or phonics, but the VERY important aspect of connecting with your child. Giving them that oneon-one time every night to bond with you and build lasting memories is irreplaceable and priceless. If you want to add these cute books to your bedtime routine, you can buy her books at the Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center and the McHenry Museum, amongst many other locations , as well as via her website.

Follow her on socials to keep up with book signings, story time readings and more!  Facebook: Lockwood III Dairy/Lemos

Jerseys

Instagram: @photographer_on_a_dairy_ farm www.claricetheredcow.com

Automobile License Plate Collectors Meet

By Carly Russell

Are you fascinated by the history and design of license plates? Do you have a passion for collecting unique and rare plates from around the world? Look no further than the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA)!

The Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum is excited to host the Gold Rush Region ALPCA license plate swap on September 16th from 8AM to 3PM.

Founded in 1954, ALPCA is the largest organization of license plate collectors in the world, with over 3,300 members in 50 US states and 19 countries. Members are dedicated to promoting license plate collecting, conducting research, exchanging information and plates, and connecting with fellow collectors from around the globe. This is a unique chance to meet with collectors and historians in Modesto, as the ALPCA Gold Rush Region gathers from Northern California and Western Nevada for one of their quarterly meetings. If you are interested in license plates and want to learn more about ALPCA, or if you are interested in attending this event, please email David Lacey at dslacey1967@gmail.com. Start your collection today!

Central West Ballet: Classic Cars & the Arts

Central West Ballet at the Graffiti USA Museum on Saturday, September 23rd at 7 PM for a spectacular evening of art, music, and decor. Greens on 10th and Event Collection will use the expansive museum space as a backdrop to create an unforgettable event. Guests will enjoy strolling through a magnificent display of vintage collector cars while being captivated by a variety of themed rooms featuring both classical and contemporary music.

As you move from one room to the next, you will be delighted by the beautiful artwork of Sarah Smith Aaronson and Heidi Kenzie, and the music of bassist John Ady, among others. In addition to the stunning backdrop, guests will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, delectable desserts, and a hosted bar. Tickets, available through Eventbrite or by calling 209-576-8957, must be purchased by September 15th, 2023. All proceeds from your $100 ticket will support the passionate and dedicated dancers of Central West Ballet. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support the arts and enjoy beautiful cars, culture, and music all under one roof!

Ticket links: bit.ly/CWBFundraiser

WALK VIEW

By Abigail Power

September is the time in Modesto to get out there, get active, and get your fundraising/ philanthropic shoes on because we have so many incredible community walks coming up that support amazing organizations for important causes. From the fight against Alzheimer’s and cancer to suicide prevention, organized walks are planned all month long. These walks are so important to the communities they impact and those who benefit from the proceeds raised. Growing up, I walked Relay for Life every year for my grandmother, Vivian, and first grade teacher, Arlene Berry, and the powerful emotion of being involved in these walks fills you with hope and gratitude for the future.  Check out the list below to register and learn more about how you can support! Can’t make the walk, but want to be involved?

Follow one of the links below to donate to support these incredible efforts!

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

September 9th 2023

Graceada Park

9:00 AM

www.alz.org

Modesto Rotary Club

Senior Stride

September 15th

East La Loma Park

9:00 AM

www.modestorotary.org

Out of the Darkness –American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

September 30th 2023

Graceada Park

9:00 AM

Relay for Life

September 30th to October 1st

2023

John Thurman Field

9:00 AM

Autism Speaks Walk

September 30th 2023

Central Catholic High School

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

www.autismspeaks.org

I turned 66 in August, another trip around the sun and all is well. The body is still functioning with no spare parts, my health is good, my work is good, and my mental health well still a high-functioning sociopath but hey I’m a musician. Trying to work less play more and keep the music flowing. We are down two venues for the music Ralston’s Goat and Chefs of New York, but we hope things will improve over time in our downtown. At least COVID seems to be on the down low, knocking on wood loudly. Please come out and support the scene when you can folks.

My peeps, the Blue Monday Jam needs you! A lot of us during the pandemic found other things to do at home and have stayed there. We need our fans to come down and keep it rolling.  We host Blue Monday, September 14th and 25th at Urbano Bistro with great

Beatin' the Heat

By Eric Benson

food, a full bar, and a swinging Band with special guests each month. In the Band: John Ady and Conrad Johnson on Bass, John Burt on Sax, Cortez Flores and Dave Hawks on Drums, and Eric Benson on Keys. We play Jazz, Funk, Latin, R]ock, and the Blues, not necessarily in that order for listening and dancing. So please be like Alpha Beta and tell a friend. We thank Chris Murphy and Gary Nelson for giving their love to support the Blue Monday Scene which yours truly appreciates! Urbano also has DJ dancing Tuesday through Sunday featuring Latin-based music. The Creole Jazz Kings continue to play Urbano and will be back this month so swing by.

Plenty to do in downtown, Music in the Plaza on Friday nights, the farmers market, and now we can be legit with cruising so come on out with your slow-riding. Some great shows at Gallo Center but also check out these great venues out of town:  The Newman Theatre, Yoshi’s Oakland’s best jazz shows, Khumba Music Center Santa Cruz and Piedmont Piano Company, the Back Door and the Sound Room located in Oakland. Please continue to come out folks as we can’t do it without you.

PERFORMING VIEW

By Chris Murphy

Cool Candlelight

There is a really cool new series coming to the Century this month.  This is a world travelling event, playing some of music’s best pieces in an elegant candlelight experience.  The first show will feature Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by the Listeso String Quartet.  You won’t want to miss this.

remember.  September 21. The 6:30 show is sold out so 9 pm are available.  The next show will be a Halloween show, followed by the music of Taylor Swift.    https://feverup.com/en/modesto/candlelight

September is always amazing for our local performing arts world.  The season opener for the new Gallo Season is on deck and there is a new season at Prospect Theatre. The Turlock Community Theatre has added vintage film to their line up and the local drama teachers are working hard on their fall school presentations.

First, September is busy and it gets going fast.   I recommend that you sit down today or tomorrow, check out the detailed schedules, but some tickets and put them on your calendar.  I am excited for the Micky Dolenz and Ringo Starr this month and have my season lined up at the Gallo Center already.

This month you can enjoy, Martina McBride- Sept 10, Daughtry – The Bare Bones tour on Sept 13 and then Micky Dolenz on September 14.  The hits keep coming with the Temptations on the Sept 15 and Clint Black on September 16. Comdian Brian Regan takes the stage on the 22nd and then wrapping up September is the legendary Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.  Wow. What a month.  That’s not all so check out www.galloarts. org and get you plan together.

Please consider investing in the Prospect Theatre.  This is smart indie theatre, with great sets, cool venue, full bar and a great vibe.  It’s one of those things where you feel smarter when you come out and your support is valuable. Consider doing a season ticket package.  I just bought mine, and it only costs  $200 per ticket for the full season and includes some cool Radio Cavalcade events. The first play of the season is Taco Jesus.

You can subscribe at www.prospecttheatreproject.org

Taco Jesus

Written and directed by Michael Lynch and Winner of Bay Area Critics Award 1982, Cecil Pedigrew experiences the miracle of the face Jesus on a corn tortilla. A funny/ sad tale about the quest for faith in our jaded society. Written and directed by noted Modesto actor, director, playwright, MJC Drama Professor and PTP veteran (Ride Down Mount Morgan 2005, To Kill a

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra gets off to a fast start this month with the Picnic at the Pops on September 9.  Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin, this show will be at the Gallo Winer grounds.

Also, after a long search and community feedback, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association is excited to announce that the board of Directors has named Nicholas Hersh as the next music director! Nick will be the ninth music director in our 93-year history. This will be a great new chapter for the Modesto Symphony.

The new Symphony Season will kick off  on October 13 & 14 / Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.  Please consider subscribing to the Modesto Symphony.  Season tickets start at $176 and you will be surprised some of the great locations you can get.

The State Theatre gets going right out of the gate this month with Carnival, Santana Tribute on the 1st, then the Prosper Reunion featuring Watachi Wa on September 8 and then, get ready for the historic doors of the State to get blown off with Hell’s Bells, the female AC/DC tribute band.  They are endorsed by Angus Young himself and you will be shaking all night long.   Check out the full offerings at the State at www.thestate.org

I have heard the four seasons in cathedrals in Europe and in Venice, and this show will be in the round, lit by candles and will sound amazing and enchanting. The seating is in sections around the performers and is very intimate and will be something to

Mockingbird 2011) Michael Lynch. SEPT 22. 23. 24, 28, 29, 30, OCT 1 Tix at www.prospecttheatreproject.org

Friends in Fitness

By Efren Martinez

As many of you may know, I’ve always had a fully equipped “nightclub-style” home gym. What else would you expect from your DJ in Fitness? So when COVID hit, it worked out okay since my gym, Planet Fitness, had to close its doors like so many other businesses. Still, I never let my membership expire, as The Terminator said, “I’ll Be Back.” Just recently, I returned to Planet Fitness and did not know what to expect. Some things were different from remodeled, and so many things stayed the same. The one thing, in particular, I noticed first is that I missed being around so many positive, healthy people. Just being around them makes me feel great. A teacher once told me, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” Not only is this the type of environment I prefer, but these are the kind of friends I’m privileged to have. Everyone there is friendly as well as courteous, especially the hardworking staff at Planet Fitness. No matter what kind of day you might be having, you can be sure that they will always greet you with a welcoming smile and a “have a great day” as you leave, especially from one of the owners, Brian Cassagio. I’ve known Brian for quite a few years. Even though I hadn’t seen him in a couple of years, he treated me like a true friend. I got to thinking about Brian and what makes him be a kind and awesome person, so I decided to interview him. On another note, if you see me at the gym and I don’t say hi right away, it’s not that I’m being rude. I just can’t recognize you from a distance without my specs or hear you since I’m not only in a focused zone but I have my earphones on. So hey, hello friend!

Modesto View: What inspired you to get into this line of work?

Brian Cassagio: I have always worked in customer service and leadership. Going into the fitness industry allowed me to take my passion to help people add a little

bit of fitness to their lives, at their pace, while teaching great customer service staff to be leaders of themselves and others.

MV-How long have you been the owner or even co-owner of the Planet Fitness franchise?

BC-I have been part of the ownership team for ten years in the Modesto market, but I have worked with the company on both the east and west coast since 2009.

MV-How often do you exercise personally?

BC-I have found that as my children have gotten older (elementary to high school-aged), my in-club workouts have decreased, but my out-of-club workouts have increased. I coach my daughter’s soccer teams. I am a coach for the Learn to Play Hockey at Modesto on Ice. I try to run with my son as often as I can, and I still play different sports in adult leagues. It is nice to know that the gym is available, but right now, having fitness experiences with my family and friends has become an important stress reliever in my life.

MV-What inspirational/message would you like to share with our club members & our community?

BC- Adding fitness to your life is a personal journey. Celebrate the wins, big or small. No one joins a fitness facility and lifts 100 lbs on day 1. Just finding the fitness program or place that works for you is a win. We would be honored if you gave us a look, but we celebrate your journey no matter where it takes you. Read the full interview online at modestoview.com

BARGAIN VIEW

Ease Into Fall

By Monica Barber

Modesto, this event encompasses two city blocks of food, music, drinks, & fun from the area’s best food vendors, entertainment, and more. Performers include DJ Invisible, Bangarang & Triple D. Tickets: $15 presale/$20 door. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ events/571061528564227

ALL AGES VIEW

Hey Modesto!

By Grace McNamera

As Autumn approaches let yourself ease out of summertime and into the fall season. Ms. M typically enjoys September because it has some of the fall’s warmest and sunniest days of the season which allow for a lot of fun. So head into the season with your pumpkin spice, a side of fall festivals and music events but don’t forget the bargains. Here are a few ways to save while you extend your summer or push ahead into fall fun. Extend your summer vibe just a little longer with good music. Tongue and Groove host second Fridays at P. Wexford’s Pub with a monthly acoustic set that plays from 8 pm to 11 pm. Let the good times roll and jam out with them to some of your favorite classic songs while you enjoy what the Pub has to offer. Info: https://www.facebook. com/events/1113884335952238

Somewhere someone once said that “Everything Is Better with Bacon,” or maybe they didn’t but why not? Considered to be one the greatest food items in the world by some people, Bacon is the main dish at the Modesto Bacon Fest. If you are a foodie then head out to this food festival on September 9th from 11 am to 8 pm. Located on I St between 11th & 12th St in Downtown

Don’t drag us down! Not when you can be a part of supporting and uplifting Pride herstory! Come out and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Modesto and all of the Central Valley with MoPride’s annual Pride celebration in Graceda Park. From Noon until 7 pm on September 16th, the family-friendly free event will be filled with entertainment, free activities, vendors, & local resources open to all ages. Performers include Julian Moonlight, Magnifique Cvlt, Jaymelah Moore, and many more amazing local favorites. More info: https://www. facebook.com/MoPrideInc

Enjoying your home is an important part of life. Creating the perfect nest to cocoon in for winter starts with fall preparations. For things that will improve your dwelling, the Modesto Fall Home Improvement Show is for you.  Whether you own or rent, this event is the perfect opportunity to gather ideas & information, watch demos & talk to vendors. The event will be at the Centre Plaza September 29th-Oct 1st from 10 am-5 pm. Early bird tickets are available. Tickets: $8 GA. Seniors/Military: $6. Under 18: Free. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ ModestoHomeSho

Hey Modesto! I hope you all had a wonderful summer! School is officially back in session. It is nice to get a routine going once again. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the fall season! We’ve still been experiencing warmer weather, which gives us more chances to get outside in the sunshine. September’s weather makes it an ideal time for outdoor enthusiasts to explore Modesto’s natural beauty. I recommend going to a nearby park for hiking, biking, and picnicking amidst towering trees and serene landscapes. Alternatively, You can enjoy a lovely afternoon at a  park, where you can relax, engage in sports, or simply soak up the sun. Some of my favorite parks to bike, walk, or take pictures at is dry creek. I also enjoy taking walks on the Virginia trail! It’s our last chance to enjoy our sunny weather, so get out there!

If you’re looking for an awesome place to eat, when the nights get a little cooler, I recommend Grub Hubs. For those seeking an on-the-go culinary adventure, Modesto’s food truck scene delivers a diverse array of flavors right to the streets. From gourmet tacos and fusion cuisine to ice cream and yummy grilled cheese sandwiches, the city’s food trucks offer a unique opportunity to sample innovative and delicious dishes. There are many food trucks to choose from, each one different, but all delicious. This is one of my favorite places to go with friends when I am looking to grab a quick bite to eat. Grub hubs is located on G street. So, whether you’re in the mood for comfort food, international delicacies, or farm-fresh feasts, Modesto’s grub hubs are ready to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. So, let’s make the most of this September. Let’s relish the last few moments of warmth and sunshine, whether that’s in the heart of nature or amidst the flavor of our delicious restaurants here.  This is our time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and make new memories!

ZEN VIEW

Distraction

By Mary Layton

Distraction is like a double-edged sword with two sides.

There are times when distraction seems like a welcome relief from worries and stressful situations. I can dispel a dark thought in an instant by listening to a beautiful song, watching an entertaining show, or getting busy with something that gives me renewed energy. Parents know how to distract an upset child with a toy or a fun task. Distraction can be a powerful tool. We know that a crowd at a basketball game can actually succeed at times in distracting a player from making a free shot by shouting and making wild arm movements. The ability of a player to ignore such distractions comes from lots of practice and mental confidence. It’s

impressive when the player makes his shot regardless of the noise. Concentration is a great skill to cultivate.

When my mind is distracted and restless, I make mistakes. There is separation from my immediate reality. I’m in a mental fog. I feel physically effected too, my breathing is shallower and I feel more tension in my body. Our mind is a monster that needs constant taming. This is why it is helpful to have Meditation, Yoga and Tai Chi in your life. Or any kind of quiet, repetitive activity, like walking and swimming, hiking or bicycling. Watching your thoughts and you will find out that you, and only you can tame that wild mind. Tell it kindly to hold still and listen more deeply. I guess it requires that you want to get to know your mind, to get to know yourself.  I believe the more we can get a hold of our minds the more peaceful and self-assured we will become.

For more info go to taichi4modesto.com or call (209)572-4518 modestoview.com

209.343.7601

* Note- Chinese character is closer to “move” or “migrate”

CALENDAR VIEW ENJOY MODESTO NIGHTLIFE • HAVE FUN

Theatre, Modesto

State Theatre, Modesto Dorada Park, Oakdale

Hall, Modesto

Boots, Modesto

Modesto

Post 3199, Modesto

Presbyterian Church, Modesto

Place, Modesto

Grill, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

The Tarmac, Atwater

Donkey’s Bar and Grill, Modesto

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

18Seventy Brewing Co., Modesto

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

John Thurman Field, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

The Great Valley Museum, Modesto Strings Italian Cafe Modesto

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

MoRo Music Garden, Modesto

The Udder Place, Modesto

Dying Breed Brewing, Oakdale

KCBP 95.5 FM

Nino’s Place, Modesto

Retro Lounge, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

Modesto Farmers Market

18Seventy Brewing Co., Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

The State Theatre, Modesto

Karaoke in Modesto

Monday

Donoby’s Bar, Modesto Nino’s Modesto

Tuesday

Twisted Pig, Modesto Low Key, Modesto Udder Place, Turlock

Wednesday

Donoby’s Bar, Modesto Splash Bar, Modesto Bookies, Modesto\

Ten Pin Fun Center, Turlock

Thursday

Donoby’s Bar, Modesto Main Street Inn, Ripon

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Ripon

The Udder Place, Turlock

Friday

Donkey Bar, Modesto Frontier Club, Patterson

Saturday Low Key, Modesto Frontier, Paterson

Sunday Low Key, Modesto Speakeasy, Modesto

Frontier Club, Patterson

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM Modesto Public Library

John Thurman Field, Modesto

Knockin Boots, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

Queen Bean Coffee House, Modesto

Denny’s, 2052 Orangeburg, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

The Boardroom, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

Pin Fun Center, Turlock

KCBP 95.5 FM Spotlight Lounge, Modesto Donoby’s Bar, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM Splash Bar, Modesto Bookies, Modesto Tap In Wine Down, Ceres Ralston’s Goat, Modesto 3600Santa Fe St, Riverbank

Dying Breed Brewing, Oakdale KCBP 95.5 FM KCBP 95.5 FM

Nino’s Place, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM

Stanislaus County Veterans Center Mountain Mike Pizza, Ripon Ralston’s Goat, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

Oakdale Nino’s Place, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM

Stanislaus County Veterans Center Modesto Farmers Market Mountain Mike Pizza, Ripon Ralston’s Goat, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto Papapavlo’s Bistro, Modesto The Grand, Tracy

The Udder Place, Turlock Main Street Inn, Ripon

Persuasion Brewing, Modesto Dust Bowl, Turlock

Stanislaus County Library, Modesto Tap In Wine Down, Ceres The Brave Bull, Modesto Crocodiles Nightclub, Modesto The Fruit Yard, Modesto Stanislaus County Library Facebook Gallo Center for the Arts KCBP 95.5 FM

18Seventy Brewing Co., Modesto MoRo Music Garden, Modesto 10th Street Plaza, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM Knockin’ Boots, Modesto Retro Lounge, Modesto VFW Post 3199, Modesto Trinity Presbyterian Church, Modesto P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

Dying Breed Brewing, Oakdale Modesto Senior Citizens Center KCBP 95.5 FM

Donkey’s Bar and Grill, Modesto Low Key Saloon, Modesto KCBP 95.5 FM The Fruit Yard, Modesto Strings Italian Cafe Modesto Gallo Center for the Arts Stanislaus County Veterans Center Stanislaus County Veterans Center KCBP 95.5 FM Retro Lounge, Modesto The Boardroom, Modesto MoRo Music Garden, Modesto

AND BE SAFE • DESIGNATE A DRIVER

CALENDAR VIEW

West Side Theatre, Newman Dying Breed Brewing, Oakdale Knockin Boots, Modesto Chartreuse Muse, Modesto Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

Rocksteady Adventures, Farmington

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Modesto Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto KCBP 95.5

Wexford’s Pub, Modesto Queen Bean Coffee, Modesto Gallo Center for the

Low Key Saloon, Modesto Speakeasy Lounge, Modesto Gallo Center for the Arts

Johansen HS, Modesto West Side Theatre, Newman

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Modesto VFW Post 3199, Modesto Prospect Theater Project, Modesto KCBP 95.5

Urbano California Bistro, Modesto

Donoby’s Bar. Modesto

95.5

Nino’s Place, Modesto The Smart Axe Modesto, Modesto KCBP 95.5

Urbano California Bistro, Modesto Modesto Senior Citizens Center

The Twisted Pig, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

The Udder Place, Turlock

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

The Dragonfly-Art for Life, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

KCBP 95.5

Urbano California Bistro, Modesto

Ten Pin Fun Center, Turlock

Donoby’s Bar, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

Splash Bar, Modesto

Bookies, Modesto

Ralston’s Goat, Modesto

Tap In Wine Down, Ceres

3600Santa Fe St, Riverbank

Denny’s, 1525 McHenry Ave, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

KCBP 95.5

Nino’s Place, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Mountain Mike Pizza, Ripon

Ralston’s Goat, Modesto

FM

KCBP 95.5

2023 EVENTS

September 22nd-Latino Heritage Festival in the 10th Street Plaza

September 30th Lodi Comic Con Fall at Grape Festival Grounds

October 1st-6th DoMo Walls in Downtown Modesto

October 14-15th-Riverbank Wine and Cheese Festival

October 14th-Main Street Day Ripon

October 17th Modesto Area Music Awards at the State Theatre

October 21st-Dia De Los Muertos in the 10th Street Plaza

November 11th-Veterans Day Parade

November 25th-ModShop in Downtown Modesto

Tap In Wine Down, Ceres

Dying Breed Brewing, Oakdale

3600Santa Fe St, Riverbank KCBP

Nino’s Place, Modesto

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Modesto Farmers Market

Mountain Mike Pizza, Ripon

Ralston’s Goat, Modesto KCBP

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

Papapavlo’s Bistro, Modesto

Main Street Inn, Ripon

The Udder Place, Turlock

Persuasion Brewing, Modesto

Dust Bowl, Turlock

Stanislaus County Library, Modesto

Tap In Wine Down, Ceres

The Brave Bull, Modesto

Crocodiles Nightclub, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Stanislaus County Library Facebook

KCBP 95.5 FM

KCBP 95.5 FM

Gallo Center for the Arts

Knockin’ Boots, Modesto

Retro Lounge, Modesto

VFW Post 3199, Modesto

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Modesto

Modesto Senior Citizens Center

The State Theatre, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

Donkey’s Bar and Grill, Modesto

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

West Side Theatre, Newman

10th Street Plaza, Modesto

Turlock Community Theatre

Rocksteady Adventures, Farmington

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Modesto

Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

MoRo Music Garden, Modesto

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Da Hot Box, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Modesto Farmers Market

The Terrace by the Vault, Modesto

Calaveras County Fairgrounds

KCBP 95.5 FM

Nino’s Place, Modesto

Retro Lounge, Modesto

The Boardroom, Modesto

KCBP 95.5

The Grand, Tracy

Low Key Saloon, Modesto Frontier Club, Patterson KCBP

McHenry Mansion, Modesto Modesto Public Library

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

Papapavlo’s Bistro, Modesto

The Udder Place, Turlock

Main Street Inn, Ripon

Persuasion Brewing, Modesto

Dust Bowl, Turlock

Stanislaus County Library, Modesto

Tap In Wine Down, Ceres

The Brave Bull, Modesto

Crocodiles Nightclub, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Zoom

Stanislaus County Library Facebook

Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

Modesto Farmers Market

FM

KCBP 95.5

KCBP 95.5

FM

10th Street Plaza, Modesto

Eagles Hall, Modesto

The Post Restaurant & Bar, Modesto

Knockin’ Boots, Modesto Retro Lounge, Modesto

VFW Post 3199, Modesto

MoRo Music Garden, Modesto

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Modesto

The Tarmac, Atwater

Modesto Senior Citizens Center

FM

KCBP 95.5

Donkey’s Bar and Grill, Modesto

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

FM

KCBP 95.5

West Side Theatre, Newman

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

Nino’s Place, Modesto

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

Stanislaus County Veterans Center

108 Sports Lounge, RIverbank

Modesto Farmers Market

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Rivets Grill, Modesto

Oakdale Rodeo Grounds

KCBP 95.5 FM

The Boardroom, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

The Udder Place, Turlock

Nino’s Place, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

Gallo Center for the Arts

Frontier Club, Patterson

Low Key Saloon, Modesto

P Wexford’s Pub, Modesto

10th Street Plaza

FM

KCBP 95.5

Modesto Public Library

West Side Theatre, Newman

Knockin Boots, Modesto

Graceada Park, Modesto Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

The Fruit Yard, Modesto

Prospect Theater Project, Modesto

Chartreuse Muse, Modesto

KCBP 95.5 FM

KCBP Radio 95.5 FM

The Grand, Tracy

December 2nd-Celebration of Lights Parade Downtown Modesto

December 2-3 Model Train Show at Stanislaus County Fairgrounds

Dec 2nd-23rd-Rockin’ Holiday in 10th Street Plaza Thurs-Sat

December 9th-Spirit of Giving Run in Downtown Modesto

April-October DoMo First Friday in Downtown Modesto

Third Thursday Art Walk in Downtown Modesto

GO MODESTO

Greek Food Festival

The Greek Food Festival, which has been a beloved tradition for over 55 years, will be making its return on September 16th, 12-8 pm, and 17th, 11 am-7 pm 2023 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Modesto. This highly anticipated event is a celebration of Greek culture, featuring live music and entertainment, as well as a bustling marketplace where you can find unique and authentic items. You will not want to miss out on the op portunity to indulge in some of the most delicious Greek coffee and pastries you have ever tasted. In addition, be sure to come hungry and experience the culinary delights of Greece by dining in or taking out an authentic Greek dinner for just $18 in advance or $20 at the door. This event promises to be a fun-filled weekend for everyone in the family, with plenty of activities and experiences that will leave you with lasting memories. For more information or to goannunciation.org

GO TURLOCK

The 9th Annual Assyrian Festival is coming up, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Once again, it will be hosted by the Central Valley Parishes of the Assyrian Church of the East in Turlock, California, and will take place at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. The festival is set to take place on September 16th and 17th from 12 to 10 pm. There will be entertainment, delicious tradi tional Assyrian cuisine, and even a kid’s zone. Looking for a unique gift check out the vendor’s area which promises to have something for everyone. No charge to get in and parking is always free. For more information cvassyrianfestival.com

PRINT& DIGITAL

Modesto Irrigation District has various programs that can help you unplug to conserve energy and plug-in to sustainability.

The power is in your hands. www.mid.org