It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Modesto Arch gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Modesto, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Moose Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Dewz Restaurant or visit McHenry Mansion Visitors Center, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Modesto, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Modesto, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Modesto, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
In the early 2000s, the Modesto City-County Airport offered daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.A Modesto Bee reader recently asked our journalists with Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions about the Modesto region: “When will they bring back commercial flights to (the) Modesto ai...
In the early 2000s, the Modesto City-County Airport offered daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A Modesto Bee reader recently asked our journalists with Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions about the Modesto region: “When will they bring back commercial flights to (the) Modesto airport?”
Roughly two years ago, city and airport officials said they were exploring that possibility, with a focus on community demand and cost.
“The airport is always keeping an eye on the market,” former airport manager Gabe DaSilva told The Modesto Bee in August 2023. “We’re always reevaluating those opportunities.”
What progress has been made in the last two years? Is Modesto any closer to welcoming commercial flights again?
We reached out to city officials for an update. Here’s what they said:
The Modesto City-County Airport, 617 Airport Way in Modesto, spans approximately 470 acres along the border between Modesto and Ceres near the Tuolumne River.
It is currently used as a “general aviation airport,” according to city officials.
“As a general aviation airport, airport has 134 hangers that houses over 100 privately owned small aircrafts that include corporate jets, twin and single engine aircraft, helicopters and ultralights,” the city wrote in a statement to The Bee.
Daily operations at the airport include charter flights, aircraft maintenance and repair, fueling services, a flight school, fixed-base operators and on-site rental car agencies.
City officials said there’s no set date — but plans are in motion to explore the possibility.
“The airport is currently looking into a commercial air service feasibility study to determine viability of air service,” the city wrote in a Wednesday, June 25, statement. “This study is scheduled to begin later this year.”
While no concrete steps have been taken in the past two years, the city said it is “still re-evaluating those opportunities.”
The results of the study — along with factors such as pilot availability and airline equipment — will help determine next steps.
“A goal and timeframe will be dependent on the results from the feasibility study and airline availability,” the city said.
To travel by plane to domestic destinations, Modesto residents can head to either Merced Regional Airport or Stockton Metropolitan Airport, the city said.
Both are roughly 40 miles away from Modesto.
The closest airports to Modesto that offer both domestic and international flights are Oakland International Airport and Sacramento International Airport.
Oakland International Airport is about 75 miles away from Modesto.
Sacramento International Airport is roughly 86 miles away from Modesto.
Here’s how to submit your question to The Bee:
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing me directly at [email protected], our service journalism desk [email protected], or by filling out the form below.
Get the Eat. Sip. Play. newsletter in your inboxAvailable now: Sign up here for the best food, drink and entertainment coverage in Stanislaus County. There are a lot of celebrations and entertainment popping up in the greater Modesto region in the coming days. Modesto Performing Arts joins a host of Graffiti Summer events with a live production of the musical “Grease.” Juneteenth celebrat...
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There are a lot of celebrations and entertainment popping up in the greater Modesto region in the coming days. Modesto Performing Arts joins a host of Graffiti Summer events with a live production of the musical “Grease.” Juneteenth celebrations and observances will be held in Modesto, Riverbank and Lathrop, along with a trip to the Allensworth Historical State Park (Scroll down to see the list of Juneteenth events). Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned June 14-20.
Modesto Performing Arts presents “Grease” at the Gallo Center for the Arts, just in time for Graffiti Summer. The production opens MPA’s 57th season. The musical is about love-struck teenagers unexpectedly reuniting at Rydell High after the summer of 1958. “Grease” has had two successful Broadway revivals and was made into a hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. MPA’s production is directed by Paul Tischer and music direction is by Marie Maxfield. Mic Thompson will return to his hometown of Modesto for choreography duties.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. June 14, 20-21; 2 p.m. June 15, 22
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $38-$58
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, affectionately known as MoBand, performs its third concert of the season, moving to a special Wednesday date in observance of Thursday’s Juneteenth holiday. The “Through Time” show will feature classic tunes by Glenn Miller, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and rock legends of the 1970s.
WHEN: 8 p.m. June 18
WHERE: Mancini Bowl at Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
TICKETS: Free
ONLINE: www.moband.org
The Modesto Film Society will screen the classic hit “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis at the State Theatre. The 1986 action film is about a group of men in an elite training school for fighter pilots when tragedy strikes.
WHEN: 2 p.m. June 15
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKET: $10
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
The June tradition in Modesto continues with the Back to Graffiti Car Show at the Fruit Yard Amphitheatre. Modesto F-100 Elite presents the event, which also includes a raffle, vendors, music, awards and more.
WHEN: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14
WHERE: The Fruit Yard, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-577-3093
While Modesto Performing Arts offers “Grease” in a live production, you also can see the film itself at the State Theatre’s “Grease” Singalong screening. It’s also part of Modesto’s Graffiti Summer celebrations.
WHEN: 2 p.m. June 14
WHERE: The State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: $6
ONLINE: thestate.org
The Carnegie Arts Center offers its annual block party in downtown Turlock. This community event for all ages moves from outside the arts center to a Turlock park this year. Creative activities, live music and more will be offered.
WHEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Central Park, downtown Turlock
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: carnegieartsturlock.org
The annual Ceres Skies The Limit Hot Air Balloon festival returns. Weather permitting, the schedule has balloons lifting off beginning at 6 a.m. Tethered rides will be offered to the public for $10. There will be food trucks, vendors, live music and activities for children.
WHEN: 5 a.m.-noon June 14
WHERE: River Bluff Regional Park, 3761 Hatch Road, Ceres
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-538-5628
The annual Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee celebrates the logging industry with two days of vendors, a carnival, parade, music, logging contests and more. The events end with a tug-of-war at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
WHEN: June 20-22; See website for times
WHERE: West Side Memorial Park, Tuolumne
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: motherlodetimbersports.org/tuolumne-lumber-jubilee.
The Stanislaus Arts Council presents its Celebration of the Arts Gala. The council will honor several people for their contributions to the region’s arts community. There will be art, performances and visuals. This year’s theme is “Kaleidoscope of Community.”
WHEN: 5-9 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Modesto Silos, 320 Madonia Ave, Modesto
TICKETS: Start at $150
ONLINE: www.stanislausarts.org/event-checkout/p/events-cota2025
Modesto Juneteenth
The King-Kennedy Memorial Center Board of Directors will celebrate Juneteenth during a “We Shall Rise” festival. The event at Graceada Park includes live entertainment with Valley Rhythm Section, food vendors, games and more.
WHEN: 1-6 p.m. June 14
WHERE: Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-568-3643
Slavery Remembrance Day
Silver Square Lodge #66/Creators Club of Modesto offers a “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated Train Ride Back In Time” to Allensworth Historical State Park. The train departs from the Modesto Amtrak station at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, vendors and live music, along with a guided town tour that highlights significant aspects of Black history. Calling ahead for reservations is recommended.
WHEN: June 14, see above for times
WHERE: See above
TICKETS: $27 round trip
CALL: 209-595-6966
Freedom Trail Walk-A-thon
Silver Square Lodge will hold a second Juneteenth observance, “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated” with a walk, luncheon, dinner and program. The walk from 9-11 a.m. will be along the Helen White Trail in Modesto, meeting at Martin Luther King Drive and California Avenue. After the walk will be several events at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Arbor Theater, 1000 L St. A lunch will be offered noon-1 p.m. From 1-5 p.m., a youth symposium and rally will take place, featuring a tribute to Col. Allen Allensworth and Prince Hall through films, lectures, music and dancing. After the youth event, participants will receive certificates for free backpacks. A dinner and program will be held 5-6 p.m., followed by a concert featuring Darnell Robinson from 7-11 p.m.
WHEN: June 19, see above for times
WHERE: See above
TICKETS: For post-walk activities, donation is $75
CALL: 209-595-6966
Riverbank Juneteenth
“A Day of Family Fun: Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom” marks another community holiday event. The day will feature activities for children, food, bands, DJs, vendors, gospel singers, cultural performances, educational exhibits, a Black business expo and community resource information.
WHEN: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 19
WHERE: Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St.
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-568-3643
Lathrop Juneteenth
The Lathrop Juneteenth Heritage Committee presents its third annual event with vendors, food trucks, live music, spoken word and games for kids. Reserve free admission online, below.
WHEN: 4:30-8:30 p.m. June 19
WHERE: Lathrop Generations Center, 450 Spartan Way
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.lathropjuneteenth.us
All of the money is finally in hand to replace the Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto, a once-grand structure that is barely drivable today.The California Transportation Commission voted unanimously Friday, June 27, to accept a $15 million grant. Federal and local sources bring the total to $134 million for this new crossing of the Tuolumne River.It is expected to be ready in early 2028, said an email from David Leamon, director of Stanislaus County Public Works. The old bridge will remain open during early construction phases, t...
All of the money is finally in hand to replace the Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto, a once-grand structure that is barely drivable today.
The California Transportation Commission voted unanimously Friday, June 27, to accept a $15 million grant. Federal and local sources bring the total to $134 million for this new crossing of the Tuolumne River.
It is expected to be ready in early 2028, said an email from David Leamon, director of Stanislaus County Public Works. The old bridge will remain open during early construction phases, then close for good in the spring.
The replacement will have two vehicle lanes each way, vs. one now. The west side will feature a bicycle path down into Tuolumne River Regional Park. The east side will have a sidewalk wide enough for wheelchairs, which is lacking now.
The current bridge was completed in 1916 in the Beaux Arts style of architecture. It was an early example of the “cantilevered concrete” technique, with steel trusses covered in concrete, according to the project website.
This surface began crumbling early, prompting the first speed and weight limits in the 1930s. They were tightened in the 1960s and again in the 1970s. Today, semi-trucks and other vehicles over 4,000 pounds are off-limits. The top speed for everyone else is 25 mph to avoid vibrations that could do further damage.
It just might be the worst bridge in the state, said Jose Luis Caceres, director of programming and program delivery at the Stanislaus Council of Governments. He was speaking to the state commission, which met in Sacramento and over Zoom.
“You can’t drive an ambulance over this bridge,” Caceres said. “If someone needs help over there, you have to take the long way around to help them, and then the long way back to take them to the hospital.”
The project will ease Seventh Street’s link to Crows Landing Road, now an awkward Y-shaped junction. The latter route serves south Modesto neighborhoods as well as local and long-haul truckers.
The bridge’s north end will connect with an improved intersection at B Street and Tuolumne Boulevard, including the freight railroad crossing. It is just inside the city of Modesto, a partner on the project with StanCOG and the county.
A federal bridge program is paying about $92 million of the cost. The $15 million from the state will go toward the intersection upgrades at each end. It is from the Local Partnership Program, which rewards cities and counties with their own transportation taxes. Measure L, passed by Stanislaus voters in 2016, covers most of the remaining costs.
The bridge will stretch 1,238 feet across the main Tuolumne channel and its floodplain. It will have concrete box girders atop seven footings, meaning less fishery disturbance than the current bridge’s 14 footings.
That part of the river park is little-used, but the new bridge will come with a pedestrian plaza on the north end. This is the Gateway portion of the seven-mile park and someday could draw many pedestrians and bicyclists from downtown.
Two lion statues have stood at each end of the bridge since the beginning. They, too, have suffered from concrete sloughing, but they will be preserved at the urging of local fans. Two will remain at the pedestrian plaza. The others will go to the new county courthouse at Ninth and G streets, opening in autumn.
The bridge project will begin by fall with relocation of utility lines that cross the river. The main construction contract will be awarded by next spring by the county Board of Supervisors. Crews can work in the channel only in summer, when salmon are not present.
The tight quarters mean the new bridge must be built in the old one’s footprint. The closure next spring will mean detours mainly to the Highway 99 and Ninth Street bridges. Both of these routes have truck traffic that will be eased once Seventh Street can bear heavy loads, too.
The project website notes that the Yokuts people were the first riverside residents. They were forced out by European settlers and also suffered from disease.
Modesto was established in 1870 and relied for several years on a ferry to get across the Tuolumne. The first bridge on Seventh Street was built in 1884 and replaced just three years later. The site also had a trestle for the railroad, a popular form of travel.
Modesto had about 4,000 residents when the current bridge was built for about $110,000. It served from 1917 to 1933 as the original Highway 99, which then shifted to the old Ninth Street Bridge. The mid-1960s brought the current 99 alignment between Fifth and Sixth streets. The bridge on Ninth was replaced in 2004, widened to four lanes.
Samir Chantre is a three-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, a 10-time American national champion in the same sport and, most recently, a Modesto restaurant owner.That hardly encompasses all that the Rio de Janeiro native and third-degree black belt has accomplished, but the rest is better saved for another day. Today, Chantre bears the title “Rio Juice - Brazilian Juice Bar owner.”He opened the health foods cafe June 5 on Prescott Road, in partnership with his wife, Nathalia, who works as a sports nutritionist...
Samir Chantre is a three-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, a 10-time American national champion in the same sport and, most recently, a Modesto restaurant owner.
That hardly encompasses all that the Rio de Janeiro native and third-degree black belt has accomplished, but the rest is better saved for another day. Today, Chantre bears the title “Rio Juice - Brazilian Juice Bar owner.”
He opened the health foods cafe June 5 on Prescott Road, in partnership with his wife, Nathalia, who works as a sports nutritionist. All of the recipes are her own.
The kicker: Rio Juice sits directly next door to Ares Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a gym Chantre co-founded in 2016 and teaches at. Rio Juice even is fixed with a large window and a countertop bar where parents and other interested patrons can watch the athletes practice.
“We are advocates of the healthy lifestyle,” Chantre said. “So we have the Brazilian jiu-jitsu (gym), and then we have a Brazilian juice bar.”
There are around 60 Ares academies worldwide affiliated with Chantre and its three other founders — Alan Moraes, Milton Bastos and Osvaldo “Queixinho.” Chantre operates the Modesto and Lathrop locations.
That’s not all, though, because Chantre isn’t one to sit around and twiddle his thumbs. Two days after the soft opening of his Modesto cafe, he opened a PROTEINHOUSE franchise in Sacramento’s Arden Mall with partners Mark Ponticelli and January Siphan, who also own the PROTEINHOUSE in Modesto.
The origin of Rio Juice’s name probably is obvious, but if not, Chantre explained: “Rio is our city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. And Rio Juice, because the juice bar. And (Rio Juice) is actually “RJ”, which is also (short for) Rio de Janeiro.”
The “r” and the “j” in the cafe’s logo are separated by a palm tree, which Chantre said are common on the beaches in the city. The ‘j” is also an upside-down bendy straw, so add “creative” to Chantre’s list of qualities.
Rio Juice offers a variety of drink options including protein shakes ($8.50 to $11), a milkshake made with sugar-free ice cream ($10 to $14) and coffee drinks including espresso, drip, affogato and protein lattes ($2 to $7).
Food items include yogurt parfaits for $6, smoothie bowls (essentially a protein shake with toppings) ranging from $9.50 to $12, avocado toast for $8, Brazilian chicken empanadas with a side salad for $8 and pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) ranging from $5 to $12.
Of course, Rio Juice also serves acai bowls, which are made with frozen, pureed acai berries native to Brazil. They are $9 for 12 ounces or $12 for 16 ounces.
Nutritional information is provided at the bottom of each menu item, including calories and the grams of protein, carbs and fat.
Rio Juice, at 1711 Prescott Road, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., though that could change. For more information, visit instagram.com/riojuice.ca.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
MODESTO, Calif. — Fireworks are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations across the country and parts of California will be celebrating in grand style.The city of Modesto and the Modesto Kiwanis Club will host its annual Independence Day Parade through downtown starting at 9:30 a.m. on July 4.A day earlier, on July 3, a fireworks show will follow the Modesto Nuts v...
MODESTO, Calif. — Fireworks are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations across the country and parts of California will be celebrating in grand style.
The city of Modesto and the Modesto Kiwanis Club will host its annual Independence Day Parade through downtown starting at 9:30 a.m. on July 4.
A day earlier, on July 3, a fireworks show will follow the Modesto Nuts vs. Fresno Grizzlies game at John Thurman Field. First pitch is 6:40 p.m.
Celebrating Independence Day at home can be festive and fun — but safety should come first. Before buying or lighting any fireworks, check your city or county’s local laws. Fireworks are banned in many areas of California due to the high risk of injuries and millions in property. loss from fireworks-spared wildfires.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an average of 18,000 fires are started every year by fireworks, both illegal ones and “safe and sane” fireworks” used improperly.
To stay safe this holiday, the State Fire Marshal recommends:
In California, it’s illegal to use any fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move erratically on the ground. That includes items like bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers. Possession or use of illegal fireworks can lead to fines or arrest.
Legal fireworks sold in California will always have the “Safe and Sane” seal from the State Fire Marshal. If you’re unsure whether a firework is legal, check with your local fire department or Cal Fire station before using it.
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