Modesto has such a rich and diverse culture, and that’s a great thing. The more we know and understand each other and recognize and respect our history; it’s good for our community. There are many ways to engage, understand and team up. Empowerment Luncheon Fundraiser. Please join your...

We all understand the importance of regular physical activity for maintaining good health and managing our weight. While our metabolism naturally slows down as we age, it’s crucial to stay active. This FitView is for those who dislike going to the gym. If you’re one of those who equate exercise with a trip to the dentist, you’re not alone. I get it! We all have different preferences, and that’s what makes us unique. Here’s some exciting news: you can incorporate physical activity into your routine without even realizing it.

I can not believe it has been Ten years since I first started writing for ModestoView. In that time I have interviewed members of The Monkees, The Stray Cats, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Foreigner, actors Doug and Sam Jones, and more. I have written the GeekView, ComedyView, and written numerous GoModesto. I have covered performing arts and even contributed a few times to the ChefsView. I have written about the Class of 1962 and Lowriders and Modesto’s love affair with classic cars. But I have consistently written about local music since February 2014, 119 MAMAViews written(we took one month off during the pandemic.)

A few summers ago, I came up with one of the coolest ideas I’ve had as a music curator. Quite the experiment, really: a run of four monthly World Music Jams, held at the Barkin’ Dog Grill where I hosted my very first evening of music downtown over a decade ago. There were combinations of Latin percussion, Irish fiddling, Swedish nyckelharpa, a touring pop trio from Japan, Indian sitar, and Native American flute. That last element was contributed by Merced-based artist Katt Szyndler (pronounced like “Schindler”), a young lady who shares my passion for bringing ethnic sounds to the region and is a cultural force in her city.

In the heart of our bustling Modesto community, resides a remarkable woman whose dedication to preserving African American heritage has left an indelible mark on those around her. Ms. Audrey Spearman, a visionary leader and community advocate, has dedicated her life to recognizing the invaluable contributions of African American figures throughout history. For that reason, during Black History Month, I have chosen to share who Ms. Spearman is and the valuable contributions she brings forth to promote our beautiful city of Modesto!

February is the month when you might find Valentine’s Art gifts cheaper than chocolates in our downtown Art District. The galleries have art and crafter gifts at The Chartreuse Muse, Peer Recovery Art Project, Mistlin Gallery, Dragonfly Art for Life, along with Intrinsic Elements, Beads of Contentment, Picasso’s Gourmet Deli and Gallery. You need to shop during regular hours as Art Walk is a day late on February 15.

Modesto Garden Club Centennial Celebrations Begin with Time Capsule Ground Breaking. On Mon. Feb.12 , 2024 exactly 100 years after it was founded, the Modesto Garden Club, Inc. will begin a year of celebrations to mark its 100th year. On that date at 10 a.m. the club is holding a Ground Breaking Ceremony to bury a 25-year time capsule at the Centennial Garden located at the Virginia Corridor Trail & West Orangeburg Ave. in Modesto, CA.

Golden Valley Health Centers to Award $25,000 in Nursing Scholarships. Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC) and Golden Valley Health Centers Foundation will award $25,000 in scholarships this summer to five local students pursuing nursing and health care education. Criteria for the selection is based on the application, academic performance and financial need of each applicant. Selections are made by a committee of volunteers from the Health Center and Health Center Foundation’s Board of Directors. Each applicant must submit a letter describing their ultimate career goal and why they want to pursue nursing.

Martin Luther King, Jr. died 56 years ago, but his vision still uplifts and transforms countless people throughout the world. His vision and dream are celebrated the world over as well as right here in Modesto. “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it...

MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS GERSHWIN’S AN AMERICAN IN PARIS AND YOUTH ORCHESTRA PERFORMS SPRING CONCERT IN FEBRUARY. February 9 & 10, 2024 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra Performs Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, and Boulanger’s D’un Matin de Printemps (Of a Spring Morning)

Our holidays were magical with two grandkids and another on the way. We enjoy having our kids here in town. We got to experience so much of what Modesto had to offer, like Modesto on Ice, Rockin’ Holiday, craft fairs, makers markets, holiday movies, concerts and so much more.

Happy New Year, friends! Along with the New Year, comes all those resolutions we make every year. Such as, “I’m going to work out more,” “I’m going to eat healthier,” or “I’m going all in 110% in taking care of myself.” Why? Because I want to have that Movie Star model body. My advice? Hit the snooze button for another 15 minutes; you’re dreaming. Let’s get real and serious. Friends, let’s forget about having that Movie Star body until you become a Movie Star with all the resources they have at their disposal. Instead, what I say to you, all my Super Star friends, is let’s just focus on living the healthiest life we can and be comfortable with the skin we are in. Seriously! I love you just the way you are, and so do your true friends. Maybe take a different approach and change it up. Replace the New Year resolution with a focus on building muscle instead of losing weight. Every year, right around October, I start to scale back my cardio and focus more on building muscle and strength. I’m never looking to be huge; I just want to tone up my muscle structure and improve my strength. It’s a nice change instead of always training for speed and endurance. By March, I flip things back around and lean down for speed. It’s nice to switch things up. The reality is, just never quit trying to live the healthiest lifestyle you can. Remember to always love the skin you are in, no matter what shape or size, along with the imperfections we all have that make us so unique and beautiful.

Modesto, the real “Gateway to Yosemite”. Yes friends, we are the true gateway to Yosemite, and you can even see it from here. How is this possible? It is up in the mountains at 4,000 ft. But, we have the best location and on a clear day, most likely right after it rains, you can see right down Yosemite Valley and even get a glimpse of Half Dome.

Six-time Grammy-nominated folk musician John McCutcheon performs his twenty-first benefit concert for the Modesto Peace/Life Center on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 pm at the Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Avenue. Johnny Cash called him “the most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.” John is a master of the...

Is there a better more mouthwatering way to satiate your appetite? Not just for a delicious night out but also for giving to great causes. It is Crab Feed Season and it seems like every Non-Profit is hungry for donations and is boiling water and melting butter. These events are some of the biggest fundraisers for very worthy groups so plan to attend more than one.

As the East Bay Punk band sang in their song “Radio”, “When I got the music I got a place to Go, Radio, Radio, Radio, Radio,” The Selecter sang in “On My Radio”, “It’s just the same old show on my radio,” and Ramones “Do you remember Rock n Roll Radio.” Just a few of the many songs celebrating the airwaves.

By Chris MurphyOur community is made better by the amazing level of volunteerism, hard work, ideas and generous contributions. There are people that really stand out when it’s time to make a difference, not with a desire for recognition, but to get important things done and have a positive impact.

With New Year’s just hours behind us, some of the best moments have just made their goodbyes. New Year’s 2024 has yet to be more than an idea. To Ms. M, something so small as the idea can blossom into a simple start that allows one to reflect on the past, and focus on the future of what will come. The tradition of starting the New Year on the right foot is centuries old but long-lasting. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as making your budget stretch into lasting fun. Here’s some way to save in the New Year.

“My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do so.” – Sherlock Holmes. I share this sentiment with my favorite literary character, although the only crimes I’m trying to help solve are the shortage of unique musical offerings in Modesto and the often meager audience support when such offerings do appear. Another attribute Sherlock and I have in common is – surprise! – a fondness for the opera. Opera is glorious. It’s soul-stirring. It’s enriching. It’s alimentary, my dear Watson. It makes a considerable difference to me, to have someone on whom I can thoroughly rely to curate this highest expression of music. Several someones, in fact: the amazing Opera Modesto team.

Happy New Year. We go into 2024 with new resolutions, new activities, and changes to some longstanding traditions. Here is some of what is coming up in the Modesto Art Scene in the coming year. January 28 is the last day to enter the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend April...