Fall colors, Stan State and more

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When Kermit the Frog sang, "It's not easy being green," he wasn't thinking about trees. For many of them, it's not only not easy, it's impossible to be green — at least when fall comes along.

And thank goodness!

This one of our favorite times of the year, when nature's paintbrush turns the liquidambars, ashes, pistaches, elms and other trees from summer green to the vibrant oranges, yellows and reds of fall.

We know that some of our transplanted friends and neighbors will laugh at all this talk of fall colors and changing seasons. Well, phooey on them. They can laugh all they want; we'll remember that in the dead of winter when they're not having to shovel snow from the driveway. And they can always return to the East if they want.

As for us, we're going to enjoy this annual cavalcade of colors for as long as it lasts, which won't be long.

You can hop in the car and head up the hill. Or better yet, spin across town, park the buggy and take a nice walk along streets and paths lined with fall foliage.

In Modesto, some areas to consider for a leisurely stroll are:

• The Dry Creek Regional Park, which includes East La Loma Park and runs along Dry Creek between Claus Road and La Loma Avenue. The park's main entrance is off Edgebrook Drive near Phoenix Avenue.

• The Tuolumne River Regional Park, nestled along the river next to the Modesto Airport.

• The College neighborhood, adjacent to the Modesto Junior College East Campus off College Avenue.

• The Graceada Park neighborhood, off Needham Avenue near downtown.

Don't let the possibility of a little rain deter you this weekend. Get out of the house, breathe in the crisp air, drink in the beauty of the colors, consider the complexity of nature's life cycle, and marvel at the majesty of creation.

• • •

We love the snazzy new T-shirts that have been showing up on the California State University, Stanislaus, campus this fall — especially the ones that are white with black sleeves, with "Stan State" in bold red letters across the front, with "Warriors" and "1960" (the year the campus was founded) in smaller print. Why are we so happy? For years campus officials have railed against our use of "Stan State" in headlines, telling us the term was disrespectful. Between the new shirts and a campus magazine named "Stan," we think university officials have seen the light: "Stan State" is a term of endearment, not embarrassment.

• • •

Modesto made a strong showing in the annual Digital Cities Survey, which looks at how cities use information technology to better serve its citizens. Modesto tied for 10th place in the 125,000-249,999 population category. Topping the rankings were Corpus Christi, Texas (250,000 and up); Norfolk, Va. (125,000-249,000); Santa Monica (75,000-124,999); and Flower Mound, Texas (30,000-74,999). Cities were ranked only if they completed the survey, which was conducted in partnership with the National League of Cities.

• • •

We're happy you're reading this page — and this newspaper — today. And we're hoping that maybe you'll consider helping someone else discover the joy of reading. The Stanislaus Literacy Center needs volunteers to meet a huge increase in demand at its ReadingWorks Learning Center, where tutors help adults work toward their GEDs or to be able to pass an employment-related reading or math test. For more information, call 548-9266 or go to www.readingworks.net.

• • •

You're driving along and see what looks like gang activity. Or maybe you hear rumors of something bad about to happen. What do you do? Call 524-7491, the Modesto Police Department's new 24-hour gang hot line. You don't have to give your name — and the info you share could make a difference in the war against gangs.