Every year, Macedo Mini Acre, owned by Larry and Maureen Macedo, participate in National Alpaca Day by opening the farm for kids to come tour the farm, feed alpacas, and learn about their wool. The tours are in hour-long increments, for only $5 a person. Larry was in the field...

This is SKA and Viva Ska Radio present Maximum Ska n’ P at Persuasion Brewing, 500 7th Street, Modesto on October 7th. Headlining the event will be The Littlest Man Band featuring Scott Klopenstien and Tavis Werts(Reel Big Fish), Vincent Walker(Suburban Legends), and members of the Scholars. Also on the bill is Chris Graue aka Louser(well known for producing some of your favorite Ska and Punk videos), Mr. Kingpin(Jump Up artists from Texas), Monkey(Asian Man Records), Before Twenty(members of Tiffany Rose & the Outlaw Hearts/Thought Riot), Bet On Red(Idaho), Mojo Reggae(Nevada), The Odd Advantage, Rundown Kreeps, 1335, The Hellas, and The Bracers. Throw in some guest DJs, Jr Ska Boss and Selecta Scream from Las Vegas, Selecta Dave Bracer, and This is SKA’s own Middagh Goodwin spinning vinyl all day between the bands. Tickets are $15 in advance from.

The sounds of Big Band Jazz return to The State Theater in Modesto on Saturday, October 14 with the 21-piece Columbia Big Band. Many of the best jazz musicians in the Valley will perform along with special guest artists. The performance will future the music of jazz greats such as Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Benny Goodmen, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mike Bulbe.

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 opportunity 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.

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 traditional 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.

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.

My little and I recently attended the Toddler “Let’s Explore Art!” class offered at the Carnegie Arts Center. It was a four-week long class geared towards littles ages 4-6. It was really fun getting to explore art using play. In this sensory based class taught by Mrs. Alyssa Moon, little ones and their grownups will create mixed media artwork, using processes with clay (week 1 & 2), paint (week 3) & collage (week 4). These sessions are designed for children and their parents/caregivers to use art materials together, learn how to use art tools, and develop their coordination. The class is directed by the teaching artist, but ultimately, it is up to the child to create how they please. The projects are super adaptable and all materials are included. $45 per child-an adult must be present for the duration of the session, but there is no fee for the adult. Upcoming October class is Tuesdays 9:30am until 10:30am from 10/3/2023 until 10/24/2023 and November is the same date and time but will run from 11/7/2023 until 12/5/2023.

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!

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 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.

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...

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 into 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?

I’m a Daydream Believer: An Interview with Micky 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.

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.

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.

Can Modesto keep defying the trends? There is something great happening here that we all need to pay attention to and make sure we are all enjoying and most importantly participating in our local arts and performance community. Gallo Center CEO, Chad Hilligus, is reporting that the arts in some of the larger cities nationwide are suffering. Low attendance, and lack of interest causing closures in some places like, Tulsa, Brooklyn, and even LA. Recently attendance has been down for of some of our local performances, but not to the degrees of these other markets.

Pickleball is here! Maybe you’ve heard about it?. EVERYONE knows about Pickleball and they all have opinions about it. But one thing’s for sure, there a lot of people out there being super active, having a blast, meeting up with friends and getting some killer cardio time. Heck, you have to know algebra to keep score, so it keeps your head in the game.

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.

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”.

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!