Not to worry... we generally meet once a week, either a Friday or Saturday. What do your schedules look like for next Friday?
No offense intended Anchorarms88, but we here in Turlock refer to Modesto as "Mo-ghetto". Yes, I know there are pleasant affluent areas - the del rio golf course, the large Mcmansion expansions out by enochs high/oadale and milnes, and of course the old money section near downtown/ 5 points (La Loma area?)... but there's WAAYYY more "vibrancy" in Modesto than in surrounding rural communities. Plus, the traffic alone, ANY WHERE ALONG McHenery, near the mall, downtown, ect. will drive even the calmest driver into a fit of road rage. I hate traversing Modesto because of it. Although, one jewel they do have is the Gallo Center - EXTREMELY white presenting events there.
Turlock's ace in the hole is the California State U. It hosts and the massive revenue she generates for the entire community. It's the largest employer in Turlock, followed closely by Turlock Unified School District. If you want a truly appealing homogenious community, take a look at the demographics in the previously mentioned Ripon and Hilmar , with Hughson as a distant third. The schools in these communities are impressive relative to other central valley communities. Ultimately this is an ag. oriented region and the resulting hispanic saturation is hard to avoid.
And regarding Merced - it's even WORSE than Modesto. The one time presence of Castle Airforce base in Atwater (eventually closed by Clinton in 94 or 96) resulted in an abnormally high concentration of "diversity" in Merced County. When all that gubberment cheese was withdrawn, the civilizing force of the military receded while the "youths" remained to further enrich both Atwater and Merced.
Let me know about a possible gathering on Friday July 7th so I can alert the others here in T-town.
