Walking the Walk by Brian Prince
Transcription
Walking the Walk by Brian Prince
Fullerton Observer COMMUNITY CALENDAR Page 12-15 FULLERTON’S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS •est.1978 (printed on 20% recycled paper) Volume 34 #4 • EARLY MARCH 2012 Report Clears Names of Kelly Thomas and Police Dept. Public Info Officer Two Fullerton police officers have been charged with murder and manslaughter in the beating death of Kelly Thomas and will go to trial March 28. Independent Investigator Mike Gennaco was hired by the city to take a look at the police department and its actions surrounding the incident. He presented the first of three reports the Office of Independent Review is working on at a special 4:30pm City Council session Feb. 21st. The 6-page report focused on the information released by the police dept., how information was disseminated, and facts clearing up accusations made by some members of the public. The investigation concluded that Kelly Thomas did not steal anything and was not responsible for injuries to police officers and that there was “No evidence of intent by the police department to deceive or falsify.” Gennaco said that Kelly Thomas did have in his possession a backpack, ID, and mail that did not belong to him giving police reason to detain him. Continued on page 4 ART WALK: A view of Friday Art Walk at the Hibbleton & PAS galleries on West Santa Fe. PHOTO CHUCK OLDFIELD Walking the Walk by Brian Prince TO ADVERTISE IN THE OBSERVER CALL 714-525-6402 PO BOX 7051 FULLERTON CA 92834 FULLERTON OBSERVER ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1577 FULLERTON CA Downtown Fullerton Art Walk celebrates 2 years! Friday, March 2, 2012, 6-10pm at The Museum Plaza I can remember a few months after my wife and I opened PÄS Gallery, our friend and one of the Hibbleton Gallery owners, Jesse La Tour, came around with a clipboard and asked if we were interested in starting an Art Walk in downtown Fullerton. We were ecstatic. At the time there were collaborative art events between Hibbleton, Buffalo Exchange and BTNC, but Jesse was talking larger-scale—something that would showcase the growing Fullerton art community and bring all walks of life together. He showed me a list of businesses and galleries along Harbor Blvd. and surrounding streets who had already expressed interest, and he mentioned a lot more he was going to ask. That was late in 2009. After a few months of planning and meeting with art-minded businesses, the Downtown Fullerton Art Walk was born. It was the first First Friday which fell on March 5, 2010. It was a smashing success. I remember being interviewed on camera by Rita Garcia of KCAL-9. We had DJs, a live painter, hot food and wall to wall art lovers. Artists greeting other artists. People getting to know each other and becoming friends over art. The energy was alive. And that was just in our corner of this unique downtown. I was able to walk around and a similar vibe was happening elsewhere around downtown. Fast forward two years and 24 art walks, community pride is on the rise, connections have evolved and the positivity has gone viral. There's a new love for art these days in downtown Fullerton. Continued on page 12 WHO’S RUNNING? Candidates are lining up to run in the June 5th Recall Election. The slate so far: Jane Rands and Greg Sebourn have pulled papers for all three seats and will have to choose one by the March 9th deadline. Glenn Georgieff, Roberta Reid and Travis Kiger have filed to replace Councilmember Jones should he be recalled. Rumors are that Doug Chaffee (who lost to McKinley by a handful of votes in the last election) may also be considering a run. The June ballot will list the question: “Shall candidate’s name be recalled from the office of City Council Member?” Below that will appear a list of the candidates running for that particular seat. Go to the Clerk’s page under “Departments” at cityoffullerton.com and hit on “Elections” for a great overview of the process and updates on who has filed to run. Hazing, Bullying, Whatever You Call It: UNACCEPTABLE The only details that are agreed on are that it happened at 2:30 in the morning on an out of town overnight Troy High Wrestling Team trip. •A caller who wishes to remain anonymous contacted the paper and said that while on an overnight athletic team trip to Big Bear 9 boys stripped a boy naked, wrapped him in saran wrap, stuffed a rag in his mouth, put duct tape over that and threw him outside at 2:30am for five minutes. The caller said that this is not the first incident; there have been others and that the coach was aware. •Resource Officer Cpl. Kandler of the Fullerton Police Dept. was notified of the incident on Jan. 12, 2012. But because the hazing happened in San Bernardino Sheriff Dept. jurisdiction the victims were directed to contact SBSD. Police were told that there were three victims; one had a gag put in his mouth; one was saran-wrapped; and one was put outside in the cold. All were said to have “volunteered” for the hazing. •Fullerton Joint Union High School District Boardmembers reportedly were told that an incident of hazing took place while the team was on an overnight trip to Big Bear. What the hazing involved was not described. Eight boys were given 5 day suspensions and one was transferred to another school. The police were notified but said they did not have jurisdiction. As a result, Administrative Regulations have been modified to require that at least one district-approved adult chaperone stay awake at all times of the night to supervise and ensure that the students are in bed and not “misbehaving.” In addition, “anti-bullying education programs will be emphasized more and increased with all district students and staff members.” •A teacher who talked to the coach and two of the boys said that the boys were just having fun and there was no victim. According to that version of the story five boys wrapped a volunteer in saran wrap from the waist down and then laughed at him when he tried to stand up. It happened in Arrowhead on a balcony of the building where the team was staying. •A district team reportedly investigated the incident for the second time on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and spoke to nine boys, parents and coaches, and concluded that the incident was a game and that there were no victims. There was no saran wrap, rag in mouth, or duct tape. When the team got back to Fullerton the principal contacted police. The boys each received a five-day suspension because even “light hazing” is not tolerated. No one was transferred. Whatever happened rose to the seriousness of contacting police, suspending the participants, and adding overnight regulations. It seems clear that current anti-bullying/hazing measures are not adequate and there may even be an accepted culture of hazing. Assuming everyone is telling the truth as they see it, this is not the time to end, but the time to start, a serious investigation. The behavior is not acceptable. Page 2 FULLERTON OBSERVER COMMUNITY OPINIONS Police Ride Along Great Confused Voter I have lived in Fullerton for forty three years. I signed the Recall petition, agreeing that there should be a recall. I have never voted for Bankhead or Jones. But as much as I want them recalled I wonder about Tony Bushala. Is he attempting to buy his way onto the ballot? Why is the recall so important to him that he is willing to spend so much of his own money on it? What is his payoff for winning on this issue? It also worries me that the police associations from other cities are donating to the No-Recall side. This is the FULLERTON City Council. The problem is basically that the Fullerton City Council failed to react promptly or adequately to the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of two members of the Fullerton Police Department. What possible effect does any of this have on Riverside, Newport Beach, Contra Costa, or Ontario that leads their police associations to donate money to a problem that needs to be decided by the residents of Fullerton? My hope is that the recall vote is on the ballot in June. That the recall is approved. That qualified members of the community come forward to run for the open seats. In the meantime I don’t know what the real story is on either side. Connie Borges Fullerton Table Tennis Programs and middle schools in New York City that added pingpong this year. What would it take to add this program to Fullerton public schools? I will donate up to $25,000 in matching funds. That is, if our public schools will agree to add this program. Jay Williams Fullerton [email protected] You may have seen the news article about Susan Sarandon donating $75,000 to support table tennis programs in New York City public schools to pay for equipment and coaching. There are 27 high schools Please Wear White Help! Please wear white and take care when walking or skating on Fullerton streets, especially after dark. Recently I barely saw a woman in a black outfit jaywalking with a baby, a group dressed in black walking a black dog in the street, four people walking side by side in the bike lane, and a guy in dark clothes at night who walked right in front of my car while I was attempting a left turn. William Fullerton I had the pleasure to go on a ridealong with Corporal David on Friday Feb 10, 2012 from 7pm to 10pm and it was perhaps one of the best experiences that I have ever had on a Friday night. After the bad press that the PD has received relentlessly for the past several months, this single ridealong restored my faith in the police and I am today a very satisfied person who feels very secure living only a block or so away from the police station. Cpl. David has a very friendly attitude and might I add the admirable ability to multi-task. While riding along with him I also met other police officers and all of them seemed very well trained and competent as well. We responded to a number of calls. The determination these officers showed in their searches was very impressive. The way they dealt with civilians proved that they were well trained in such situations. They were always polite and informative. There was a situation once where a senior citizen was being loud and obnoxious at a senior citizen home and I don't know how the two officers remained as calm as they did. These officers were very professional, I am writing this to you so you can perhaps acknowledge and publicize this picture of the Police Department as well. At the very least, it would help residents of Fullerton to feel closer to their Police Department and not judge them based on a few isolated incidents. I think it is perhaps one of the best things that we can do for the community as a whole. I do hope this crisis is over fast and that all residents of this city could see the department the way that I do. Bilal Ahmed Fullerton Recall & Anti-Recall I wish to express my gratitude to the Fullerton Observer for printing the article “Follow the Money: Recall & Anti-Recall.” Your front page piece exhibits the hidden agendas ensnarled within our most fundamental level of government, the local city council. The voters of Fullerton entrusted five elected officials to give their best to enhance the living conditions within their city and with the tax dollars citizens provide for these efforts. Because of several recent events which have cast a gloomy cloud over the city, three of our elected city council members are being recalled. The Observer’s article was very informative as to how money was received that supports both sides of the fence. Shocking to me was to find out where the money was coming from to fight the recall. A large percent of it is coming from police unions or their special interest organizations from around the county and state. What could possibly be the reason for this sudden interest in our city council? The Fullerton Police Officers’ Union is obviously concerned as two of the three council members being recalled are a former chief and a former captain who are friendly to their desires. It is the union that negotiates with the city council for their attractive salaries and generous pension plans. With 26 retired police officers as members of the $100,000 pension club, it is obvious that Fullerton police would donate money to protect their two comrades. But what is the investment that external law enforcement officers are trying to protect by contributing to the anti-recall organization in Fullerton? This is the question I and others would like to have answered. David Owen Fullerton Socially Conscious Music Thank you for publishing John Gilbert’s Q&A with the punk band Amebix in the early February edition (page 15). It was a delightful surprise and while short - interesting. Fullerton is home to at least three solid record stores - two explicitly punk - with Burger Records, Radiation Records, and Black Hole. Thank you for helping bring attention to socially conscious music! Heath Row Culver City Maybe Rudeness is Needed to Get the Point Across Re: Comments in the Council Notes Report Mid February issue. I spoke at the council meeting about my small relationship with Kelly Thomas so people would hear a different side than what these liars painted him out to be. I stutter, and its not easy for me to speak publicly. I soldiered through. I felt I had to. Perhaps my comments were not worthy of printing, but they were also not worthy of being dismissed as redundant and rude. Also, the booking photo you once printed of Kelly looked nothing like him. I knew him off and on over the course of 10 years, and not once did he look like the buff steroid man in your picture. If it was real, someone submitted it to you, to taint the story. They had other pictures I'm sure, and they would have shown how frail and skinny he was. It may make people more comfortable to feel that deep down Kelly Thomas must have done something terrible to get our fine officers this angry. The fact is that there is almost nothing you or I could do to them, when unarmed and dressed professionally, to invoke that kind of relentless beating. We look like we may have a voice. We may have recourse. What they did here happens when the victim is perceived as less than human. To them he was useless trash. During public comments I was saying that they were lying. Kelly simply felt the world in much stronger and often painful confusing ways than most of us do. In hindsight, considering what this world did to him, and this police department continues to do to his name, he had good reason for his fears. It also makes us all more comfortable to think that homelessness or mental illness caused his death, but he died of uncontrolled, arrogant, hate and rage , and all that hate and rage was wearing Fullerton POLICE uniforms on the night of his murder. Steve Baxter Fullerton PS: This issue matters to me and maybe being impolite brought attention. When we marched politely down Harbor Blvd to save Coyote Hills no one paid attention. For better or worse this city, and the power structure will have changed after this. ED: Your words were not rude - and there were others who were left out of the report who also didn’t fall into that category. Thanks for writing in so I could correct that comment in the Council Notes. EARLY MARCH 2012 Fullerton Observer The Fullerton Observer Community Newspaper, founded by Ralph and Natalie Kennedy and a group of friends in 1978, is staffed by local citizen volunteers who create, publish, and distribute the paper throughout our community. This venture is a not-for-profit one with all ad and subscription revenues plowed back into maintaining and improving our independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian community newspaper. Our purpose is to inform Fullerton residents about the institutions and other societal forces which most impact their lives, so that they may be empowered to participate in constructive ways to keep and make these private and public entities serve all residents in lawful, open, just, and socially-responsible ways. Through our extensive local calendar and other coverage, we seek to promote a sense of community and an appreciation for the values of diversity with which our country is so uniquely blessed. __________________________________ Published twice per month except once in July, August & January SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: FULLERTON OBSERVER PO BOX 7051 FULLERTON, CA 92834-7051 • Editor: Sharon Kennedy • Database Manager: Jane Buck • Advisor: Tracy Wood • Copy Editors: Tom Dalton, Caroline Druiff • Distribution: Roy & Irene Kobayashi, Tom & Kate Dalton, Marj Kerr, Pam Nevius, Manny Bass & Leslie Allen Photography: Jere Greene, and Kia Kilpatrick • Advertising: 714-525-6402 • Webmaster: Cathy Yang • FEATURES • • History/Arboretum: Warren Bowen • Politics & other stuff: Vince Buck • Roving Reporters: Jere Greene, Emily Holland, John Gilbert, Peter Fong & Ellen Ballard • Also other contributing Community Members • COLUMNISTS • • American-American: Sky Scott •Conservation Gardening: Penny Hlavac • Council Reports: Jane Rands • Crime Log: staff • Movie Review Hits & Misses: Joyce Mason • Nature, Insects, Creatures & more: Diane Nielen ([email protected]) •Out of My Mind: Jonathan Dobrer ([email protected]) •Raising our Kids: Tom Chiaromonte • School Board Report: Jan Youngman •Science: Sarah Mosko & Frances Mathews • Sports: Bryan Crowe • Theater Reviewed: Caitlin Orr _____________________________ THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS! ____________________________ HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscriptions include home delivery and are due each October $25/Fullerton • $35/Out of Town Send Check with Name & Address to: Fullerton Observer, PO Box 7051, Fullerton CA 92834-7051 ________________________________ HOW TO ADVERTISE Call 714-525-6402, leave your email on the machine and we will send you the rate sheet. ________________________________ 10,000 issues of the Fullerton Observer are distributed throughout Fullerton and sent through the mail to subscribers every two weeks except only once in January, July & August. We are also online at: www.fullertonobserver.com and on FaceBook Created & Published in Fullerton by local citizen volunteers for 34 years Fullerton Observer LLC The MID MARCH 2012 issue will hit the stands on March 12th. • SUBMISSION & AD DEADLINE MARCH 5, 2012 EARLY MARCH COMMUNITY OPINIONS 2012 FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 3 Out of My Mind by Jon Dobrer © 2012 [email protected] Lessons in Futility With the Quran you have the central Afghan citizens from virtually every political view, region and tribe are rioting object of their faith--for all Muslims, the streets. Afghan soldiers whom we Sunni and Shiite, friends and enemies. It trained are turning their American sup- is to Believers the holy, uncreated and plied guns on us while on joint opera- eternal word of God. The nature of the tions. Their anger is fueled, at this Quran is not simply symbolic but its holimoment, by our having carelessly burned ness is intrinsic--like the Torah in Judaism some Qurans. But there is a long sad his- or the consecrated Host in Christianity. When we are careless, insensitive and tory of our not knowing where we are, ignorant it is just not acceptable after a who they are and what we are doing. decade. They simply cannot It is far past the time that we believe our apologies because can be acting like we have just arrived in Afghanistan. If after ...our apologies they cannot believe that after all this time a nation as more than a decade we still do have lost smart, as technologically not understand the most funcredibility. superior and as sophisticated damental cultural issues, it is too late to learn. Our cultural as we are could possibly be They may have accepted our ignorance and this stupid. It must, they believe, be active and intenapologies for burning and othinsensitivity tional disrespect. And erwise desecrating Qurans in frankly, our ignorance seems the beginning. They may have have radically at times willful. been able to accept that war is undermined After ten years of spending messy and we did not mean to our blood and treasure, we bomb a wedding or a school. our efforts have manufactured enemies They may have been able to to do good not allies. From the pictures understand that not knowing and to of Abu Gharib in Iraq, to the the rules of their culture, we pictures of Marines urinating went into villages, herded the improve on dead Taliban, to the myrmen outside and thus humilitheir lot. iad accounts of desecrated ated them in front of their Qurans, they no longer give wives and children and then in us any benefit of any doubt. searching their homes touched Now I know that we may get righteous their women as we tried to make sure they and defensive and understandably queswere unarmed. However, even if they tolerated this ten tion their sensitivity. We may wonder at years ago, our apologies have lost credibil- their brutality towards each other, their ity. Our cultural ignorance and insensitiv- persecution and mutilation of their own ity have radically undermined our efforts women, their brutality towards their eneto do good and to improve their lot. We mies. We would be justified in our outjust are no longer viable as agents of their rage at the misbehavior of the Taliban and their allies. But they are not representing hopes. It is far past time that they will accept themselves as our friends. They are truththeir families as understandable, if regret- fully representing themselves as our sworn table, collateral damage. It is past time for enemies. We, on the other hand, are posany American not to know the cultural ing as the friend, protector and the defender of Afghan freedom. We are not rules. But Qurans are just books, we might doing a good job--and no amount of think. But the Quran is far more like the apologies, investigations and restarts can Torah, not a mere object but something erase the perception that we are culturally with iconic and totemic value. For many uneducable. Americans it is like burning the flag--only Read more thoughts from Jon Dober at far more so. www.insidesocal.com/friendlyfire Disagree on Dobrer’s Middle East Comments I enjoy reading Jon Dobrer's column and usually I agree with him, but I must take issue with his comments on the Middle East (Observer Feb. 2012). He criticizes the Palestine Authority (PA) for seeking unity with Hamas. Then he states that Israeli minister Netanyahu cannot negotiate with the PA because they do not represent all the Palestinians. This is tantamount to saying that there is no way out of the impasse. In fact, according to Gershon Baskin, a prominent Israeli peace activist, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has stated that if Hamas joins the PLO, they would have to adhere to agreements that the PLO signed with Israel. The PLO agreed to recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and terrorism, and adhering to a signed agreement. Hamas leader Kahled Mashaal has Letter from Afghanistan A family member with a relative in Afghanistan sent in the following excerpt of a letter sent to her in response to one she sent him in concern for his safety about the demonstrations taking place in nearby Bagram over the burning of holy books. “What you hear on the news is not hap- implicitly agreed to these terms by asking to sit at the table. Thus, according to Baskin, the time is ripe for Netanyahu and Abbas to reach a negotiated peace agreement. He believes that the majority of people on both sides would support such an agreement. Ruth Shapin Orange Jonathan Dobrer Responds: Ruth, you misconstrue my intent which was ironic. I pointed out Netanyahu could not negotiate with the PA because they didn't represent all Palestinians AND couldn't negotiate with them, if partnered with Hamas, because it is a terrorist organization. In other words, Netanyahu created fatal alternatives, both of which preclude talks. pening here. They do burn questionable books but the burning of Qurans was not intentionally done. It was done by a young American officer clearing an area of books he was told were written by Taliban. He couldn’t read them. President Obama has apologized and has promised to have the matter investigated. The demonstrators should accept that and not join everyone else blindly.” A common billboard from the middle of the country. PHOTO KIA KILPATRICK A Two Edged Sword by John Gilbert I wish I could claim the idea as my own, of my Facebook friends post the now but the idea that denying another the ubiquitous picture of the urine sample jar right to speak ultimately deprives you of emblazoned with a plea to drug test welthe right to hear what they might have fare recipients, I actually took the time to explain the Fourth Amendment to her. I said is an idea as old as our Republic. This sword of the two-edged variety was won’t bore you with the conversation probably first set to print by people like here, but I explained at length that a class John Milton, Thomas Paine, and John of fellow citizens should not lose their Stewart Mills. The steel in the blade is rights simply because of financial status and need, and that to do so not from the false strength of would only be to create a consensus, but rather from the rod for her own back somestrength of the superior arguday, and the poor are not ment which can only be known I suspect the problem with the counif the dissenting opinion is availsubstituting try anyway, and welfare able for scrutiny. Suppress the fraud is less than 2%, and dissenters and what remains is even the welfare is only 2% of the dogma- flaccid and merely popword “pets” federal budget, and 3/5 of ular. Not only is the minority would welfare families are singleopinion to be heard in a democget more child families, and, and, racy, but it must be especially protected because of its vulnera- public reaction and… Eventually, she agreed bility as well as its value. Even if than the silent that my position was probathe contrary view is obviously nod we give bly the correct position, but wrong, it forces one to review to beating (amazingly!) she would conhis own understanding of the tinue to support hers! issue, perhaps strengthening his children. Trying to fight against that own position or possibly uncovkind of willful ignorance in ering hitherto overlooked prejuthe cascade of re-postings dices and errors in reasoning. So, there is value in hearing even the most which followed was futile. I took the unusual step of deleting five ‘friends’ that unpleasant of assertions. Carrying the sword analogy a bit far- day. The bigotry isn’t confined to class warther, anyone who knows anything about metal-smithing knows that hardened steel fare, the let’s hate the rich/poor beseechmust be tempered, or softened a bit to ments, but ranges from the now daily give the blade full flexibility and strength. pouting against (and fascination with) gay As much as I strongly support the protec- sex, to hidden-in-plain-sight religious tion of speech, much of that speech is intolerance. Five miles from where I live remarkably bigoted, and there comes a is a roadside billboard which says, “Use time when tolerating intolerance is no the rod on your children and save their longer ethical. Here is where I have flexi- life. –Proverbs 23:13” Atrocious grammar bility. ( I only speak of my personal discre- aside, how does this public admonition to tion, however, and not some desire to beat children get a free pass? You must ask have the government come in and sup- yourself if you would drive past this withpress some person or group with whom I out comment if the word “children” were replaced with “blacks” or “Jews”. I susdo not agree.) When faced with relentless propaganda pect substituting even the word “pets” and intentional attempts at coercion, it is would get more public reaction than the the duty of the individual to ignore those silent nod we give to beating children voices in order to preserve his own rea- instead. I wish I could ‘un-friend’ this soned thought. The first time I saw one sign. Though I stand by the rights of these people to speak their small minds, it is equally important that their ‘us against HOW TO VOICE them’ messages are met with the kind of YOUR OPINION ridicule and dismissal they deserve. The Opinion pages are a forum for A message which singles out one group the community. The Observer of Americans as “the problem with this accepts letters on any subject of country”, and calls for the restriction of interest to readers. Letters will be their rights, is not the message of a patrichecked for typos and may be shortot. No government should intervene in ened for space. Opinions are those of free speech, but if we claim to be a demothe writer. Send letters by email to cratic society then it is incumbent upon [email protected] or by We the People to take responsibility for its snail mail to: Fullerton Observer, improvement. PO Box 7051, Fullerton CA 92834 Page 4 FULLERTON OBSERVER CITY GOVERNMENT NEWS CITY COUNCIL NOTES by Staff The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Upcoming agenda info and streaming video of council meetings are available at www.cityoffullerton.com. Meetings are broadcast live on Cable Channel 3 and rebroadcast at 3pm and 6pm the following Wed. & Sun. and at 5pm Mon. City Hall is located at 303 W. Commonwealth. Contact Council at 714-738-6311 or by email to: [email protected] COUNCIL REPORT FEB. 21, 2012 Councilmember Jones supported the Bankhead, McKinley & resolution, “I’m in favor of community Whitaker Reject Resolution investing where we can.” on Campaign Finance Reform Councilmember Whitaker agreed, “We Occupy Fullerton presented three reso- should be looking for local first, while not lutions to the City Council. One was a closing other options.” Councilmember Bankhead also supresolution to overturn Citizen’s United, the supreme court decision which granted ported the resolution saying, “We have a personhood to corporations and which major credit union in Fullerton. We allows corporations to make unlimited should encourage local investment if they meet the criteria.” contributions to political campaigns. Occupy speaker Synthian Sharp said Predatory Credit Card over 100 cities, including five major ones, Company Access to Students have adopted resolutions against Citizen’s United calling for the measure to be overThe third Occupy resolution dealt with turned. the abuse of credit card companies targetOccupy speaker Greg ing students and pushing them Diamond said, “Elections into debt at a young age and was shouldn’t be about who can accepted unanimously. “Elections raise the most money from Occupy speaker Synthian shouldn’t people who want things Sharp said he had worked for a be about from you, even when it is credit card counseling service in who can against the will of the peoFullerton where he got a first raise the ple.” hand look at the problem. The most money Councilmember Jones and companies offer students, who from people Mayor Quirk-Silva supportdon’t understand compound ed the resolution which who want things interest, credit cards with over from you, failed on a vote of 3-2. The $5,000 limits. There is no check even when mayor said, “We want to on the student’s ability to afford keep our elections clean it is against the card. He related a traumatic from special interests.” story about a student who had the will of McKinley said he could called up in great despair over the people.” not support the resolution to the huge debt that he had built the measure overturn up. He said the student had because “It is the law of the committed suicide while he was land.” Whitaker said if we sign on the talking to him on the phone. “city will be taking on the opinion that Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva, with three money is not speech as the supreme court young adult children, was familiar with has ruled.” Bankhead said the resolution the issue and said she would support it. was “inappropriate.” Councilmember Jones noted that this of “credit card companies targetproblem Banking Locally ing young people who then get over their A second Occupy resolution to considheads in debt” was not just a local issue er options to remove city funds from big and needed to be addressed nationally. banks and invest instead in local banks Councilmember Whitaker said, “These and credit unions that invest in the local companies socialize their losses. community passed 4-1 (McKinley, No). and colleges should be Universities Occupy speaker Charles Cha asked who pushed to stop allowing access.” he could talk to about the creation of a Councilmember Bankhead agreed that municipal bank or credit union and was should be enforcing this, not the “colleges told to give his information to the city city.” clerk. Continued on page 10 EARLY MARCH 2012 A Message from Kelly’s Dad Yesterday and last night marked another very good milestone in the pursuit for justice for Kelly. I want to thank all of the dedicated, loyal members of Kelly's Army everywhere that have helped make this happen. Your willingness to never give up really helps keep me going. Together we have forced the City and the Police Department to make significant changes in the way they do business, with many more changes to come. Already these changes have improved the quality of life within the city for not only the homeless and mentally ill, but for all of the citizens and visitors to the city. I will be the first to tell you, we still have a very long road ahead of us. I hope that all of you and many more supporters will stay in the fight until the end. The second time that I addressed the City Council, I requested that now that the report was out, and it did indeed clear Kelly of all of the allegations, I want the City and the Police Department to issue an apology letter in a public forum and clear his name. The second item that I requested was that I still want a street sign and a bench installed at the memorial that will read “Kelly's Corner.” I received a text this morning as I have on other occasions from Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva. It read “Good morning Ron, again I am thinking of you (she knows that at times I don't hold it together very well). I will be formally working on an apology letter to clear Kelly's name. In addition, I have already talked to Joe (the City Manager) about formally putting up a sign that says Kelly's Corner and a bench- perhaps the one year anniversary would be a good date to shoot for? Sending hugs and prayers, Sharon QuirkSilva." This is great news for all of us. I look at this as what I have been telling everyone that I want to work with the City to do. Re-build Fullerton. Thank you Sharon. The last item that I would like to share with you is that the current addition of Orange Coast Magazine has been published. The writer worked with me and other family members and friends for a few months to complete the story. It tells about Kelly's life, not so much about his death. I've been told that it is a really good story. Thank you all again. Ron Thomas Gennaco’s Independent Report on the Fullerton Police Dept. Part 1 to be based on actual preliminary medical Continued from frontpage Kelly Thomas could be heard on a record- records indicating that one may have sufing giving police permission to search his fered a fracture of the ribs and another a backpack. It was later determined that fractured elbow. Later X-ray results deterthe mail had been discarded in the trash, mined there were no fractured ribs. One and the backpack had been abandoned at officer did “undergo surgery for a shoulder injury but it was unclear whether his the train station. The recording of a call to dispatch elbow was ever fractured,” according to which brought police to the train station the report. There was no evidence that was made by a woman who identified a Mr. Thomas had caused the injury and the injury might have male with no shirt wearing a been caused by fellow backpack whom she called officers involved in the “Kelly” as pacing between struggle. cars, looking into windows Though Gennaco’s and trying door handles. A team found no intentionpolice Digital Recording al deceit by the police Device documented the he said that department police arriving on the scene were once the reports and asking a female if she found to be in error they had seen a man with no shirt should have been immein the area. She answered yes diately and decisively corand indicated the direction rected. the man had taken. He made recommendaThe booking photo Above: FPD booking photo tions regarding the release released to media was found from Mr. Thomas’ 2009 of information in a crisis to be an accurate photo of arrest in Fullerton for situation. Information Mr. Thomas at the time of trespassing and violating should be delayed until it his last arrest in 2009. a restraining order. is definitive. Or if Evidence from video, digital released, it should be Below: Orange County recording, and fingerprints made clear that the inforSheriff ’s Dept. booking photo all show Mr. Thomas to be mation is extremely tentalater the same night from the person in the booking tive. Once it is learned when he was transferred to photo. In addition a call that information released OCSD custody. from the jail was made by is in error, a correction the man who identified himshould be made quickly self as Kelly Thomas to the and broadly. home of Cathy Lee Thomas Gennaco and his team and Kelly James Thomas. In will be submitting two the video of that call Mr. more reports. One is due Thomas can be seen and to be presented to the heard talking to an individcouncil on Tuesday, ual he refers to as 20th and will deal March “Grandma,” and later to with the overall policies another individual he and procedures of the addresses as “Mom.” police department and his recommendaGennaco recommended that in regards to releasing an old booking photo, even at tions on what needs to be improved. The second is an internal report which the request of media, that the department will be presented to Chief Dan Hughes should have consulted with the family and will examine the individual responses first. Kelly Thomas was never put under of each officer. That report, which will not arrest during the July 5th encounter, and be made public, will be used in any disciin fact had died by the time the photo was plinary actions. released. Gennaco, the chief attorney for the LA The reports of police officers receivOffice of Independent Review, was hired ing broken bones as a result of the in August 2010 to conduct an independencounter with Mr. Thomas were found ent review of the Fullerton Police Dept. EARLY MARCH 2012 EDUCATION FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 5 At Left: 1st place winner of the art contest Jazell Gallardo from Nicolas receives her trophy from Ernie Fregoso and Becky D’Arrigo. At Right: The Flight category winning team from Nicolas Jr. High Miguel Armenta, Taylor Lucio, and Christian Barrios with Assistant Principal Dennis Perry and Principal Mathew Barnett Ladera Vista Hosts “Take Flight” Event story & photo by Jere Greene Students and parents of five local schools were provided a dinner donated by local restaurants and an evening of activities presented by Ladera Vista in a program developed by Ernie Fregoso. Seventh grade students competed in the art, design and actual flight activities centered around paper airplanes and flight in general. The entries are currently on display on the north wall of the Children's Library at the Main Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton. The results in three categories were: Best Accuracy 1st: Nicolas Jr. High 2nd: Parks Jr. High 3rd: Beechwood 4th: Fisler 5th: Ladera Vista Jr. High Longest Distance 1st: 82.5 feet, Ladera Vista 2nd: 71.5 feet, Fisler 3rd: 70.5 feet, Nicolas 4th: 64.0 feet, Beechwood 5th: 18.0 feet, Parks Above: Nick Moreno’s innovative 1st Place winning airplane design Below: Paige Westerlin and Kyle West’s 2nd Place winning airplane design Longest Time Aloft 1st: 3.14 seconds, Beechwood 2nd: 3.01 seconds, Ladera Vista 3rd: 2.75 seconds, Nicolas 4th: 1.96 seconds, Fisler 5th: 1.10 seconds, Parks Jr. High Middle College Controversy The top three winners in each category, and each first place winner, received two Angel’s baseball game tickets and a $10 Jamba Juice gift card. North Orange County College District Moves to New Election Plan The North OC Community College District Board of Trustees has started a process that will result in major changes to the way trustees are elected as well as the boundaries of areas each represents. The plan to transition from “at-large” elections to “by-trustee area” elections was approved in Dec., 2011. Currently there are four trustee areas and all voters within the district elect members of the Board. After the transition which starts with the Above: Winners in the Flight Art competition were Beechwood’s Tara Schneider, 3rd place; Nicolas Jr. High’s Jazelle Gallardo, 1st place; and Parks Jr. High’s Amy Chen, 2nd place. Nov. 2012 election, there will be seven trustee areas with each member elected only by voters residing within their area. Board President Molly McClanahan said they were making the change to create more equitable representation. College districts, school districts and city councils across the state are making similar transitions in response to the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 and the data from the 2010 Census. No decision was made on granting retroactive approval to the creation of the Buena Park High/Cypress College Middle College program at the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 14th. However, on Feb. 23rd, the Cypress College Academic Senate voted to deny retro college credit for courses taken. Cypress faculty pointed out that Buena Park High began publicly advertising and offering Buena Park/Cypress Middle College courses in English, Biology, History, Math and Psychology, and promising students college credit, in the fall of 2011 before a contract had been written and approved. They felt the move by the college district and Buena Park circumvented faculty on issues of hiring instructors and control of course content and oversight. The lack of a contract makes the courses ineligible for college credits. Some wanted to know how such a plan had failed to come before either the high school or community college boards before launching. Some objected to high school instructors being offered the teaching assignments over Cypress College faculty. The retroactive authorization is sought between Cypress College and Buena Park High for the Middle College Program, effective January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2012 to cover classes already in session at the high school. (not including the fall 2011 classes) According to NOCCCD board president Molly McClanahan there were some glitches in the process but everything will be worked out as “the Board and District heartily support this kind of endeavor.” The courses are being taught on the Buena Park High School campus and McClanahan said that the “Buena Park faculty teaching the courses have to meet the same criteria for teaching comparable curriculum at the college level including having a masters degree.” Dr. Mike Kasler, president of Cypress College agreed and said he expected the problems to be worked out with faculty input in the next few weeks. Trustee Bob Singer of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District said that once NOCCCD concurrence is received the program will be presented for approval in an open session of the high school board. Additional costs associated with earning college credits are to be provided from the School Improvement funds received by Buena Park High. Other costs are provided by the normal state education funding based on student attendance. Until final resolution has been received students will receive high school credit for the classes. Dale Craig, president of United Faculty, said that, “Everyone involved, both faculty and administrators, agree that providing a path to a college degree for high school students is very important. There are good models for achieving this task. One of these is a “middle college” model where high school students are taught at their own school by college instructors and these students also come on campus to take courses. They are kept together as a class but taught by college faculty and experience college life, but do so in a structured and supportive way. These programs are very successful. However, this is not what has been designed at Cypress College and Buena Park High School.” Next NOCCCD Board meeting is 5:30pm at 1830 W. Romneya Dr., Anaheim on Feb. 28. Next FJUHSD Board meeting is 7:30pm March 13 at 1051 W. Bastanchury Rd., Fullerton. Page 6 OBSERVER EARLY MARCH Project Makes Prom Dreams Come True New and gently used prom gowns and accessories have been donated to the YWCA of North Orange County to make 140 dreams come true. The YWCA of North Orange County, along with Kiss Products Inc., Soroptimist International of Fullerton, National Charity League of Fullerton, Kiki Prom and Evening Wear, Cal State University Fullerton-HSSA Community Service, Elizabeth Jones, professional makeup artist, and Bella Dia Salon are gearing up to help high school girls attend their prom with pride and self-confidence. The Prom Project is scheduled for March 31, 2012 at the First United Presbyterian Church, 114 North Pomona, Fullerton. “High school proms are memorable experiences that last a lifetime. Our goal is to provide high school senior girls with new or gently used formals so they can attend their prom feeling good about themselves. A beautiful dress is a good start!” said Diane Masseth-Jones, Executive Director, YWCA of North Orange County. Girls who would like to participate need to submit an application before March 31st. Applications are available by calling at (714) 871-4488 or you can go to www.promproject.org and download an application. Update on Marc Duda Financial Fraud The sentencing of Marc Duda for financial fraud was carried over to March 26 on the 10th floor of the Federal Court, 441 W. Fourth St., Santa Ana. Judge James Selna did not feel that the prosecutor's office had done enough “due diligence,” as the amount of money lost $2 million was way off in the paperwork given to him, as opposed to the 8 victims and 3 lawyers who spoke that day who claimed $12.6 million had been lost. Much emotion and heartbreak was expressed from victims, many of whom knew Mr. Duda for years and were retired, elderly or in poor health. The FBI said there is no money left so no one has much hope in getting anything back. If you suspect you have been a victim contact FBI agent Jessie Murray in the Santa Ana office at 714-245-5285 or victims specialist Claire Balanay at 714-2455299. 2012 Sink Hole on Rosecrans Traffic on Rosecrans Avenue in the vicinity of Gilbert Street in Fullerton has been reduced to one lane east and west due to a sinkhole which was discovered late Wednesday. The sinkhole, which reportedly is 10-15 feet deep, was reported to police and fire officials shortly after 8pm by three motorists whose vehicles sustained damage in the hole. Rosecrans was shut to through traffic while street crews from the city’s Maintenance Services Department worked through the night to attempt to shore up at least a portion of the street for the morning commute. Repairs are on-going, and city officials estimate it could take several weeks to completely correct the problem. The cause of the sinkhole is believed to be due to damaged storm drain pipes underneath the roadway. Further information may be obtained by Services calling the Maintenance Department at (714) 738-6897 Mr. Daniels’ Tulips 2012 text & photos by Marjorie Kerr Wayne Daniels has done it again this year by planting 4,000 bulbs. Blooms began February 1, however, the riot of color at 668 N. Woods, may be very soon over as the garden peaked on Valentine’s Day. Our “Tulip Man” inspired several neighbors on Lois Lane from Woods Avenue to Fern Drive to plant tulips. The Lois Lane planting time was staggered from December 1 to February 1, therefore, we will have a longer time to view tulips on that street, depending on the weather! Mr. Daniels’ generous planting of tulips is an annual gift to the community. National Passport Day at the Library North OC Heritage Festival & Conference The main library provides and accepts passport application forms, as well as taking passport photos. On National Passport Day, Sat., March 10, passport services will be open from 10am to 3pm. There will also be fun activities for the kids. Persons wishing to apply for a passport must bring a certified copy of their birth certificate or their original naturalization certificate, and a current ID card such as a driver’s license. Those wishing to renew passports must bring their old one with them. Fees go to support the library. Fullerton Library, 353 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. Call 714-738-6334 for more info. A free Heritage Festival featuring common and distinct histories of North Orange County will be held Thurs., March 15 from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. The festival will include presentations by the historical societies, non-profits, and museums of North OC. In addition a conference will be held the same day from 1pm to 6pm. The conference is $20 and includes dinner. To purchase tickets call 866-411-1212 or visit www.TheMuck.org. Sponsored by James Irvine Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, OC Community Foundation, Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton Heritage, Carol Hasenberg Exhibits, Carlota Haider, and Genealogical Society of Hispanic America-Southern California. A FRATI GELATO CAFE GOODBYE Saluti ! It is hard to believe we have occupied 122 West Commonwealth in Fullerton, California for the last 5 years. Time really does fly when you are having fun ... but, alas, our lease is about to expire. We will be moving our business, Frati Gelato Cafe, to the Riverfront in downtown Napa, California. We have decided not to renew the lease, and will close our doors Wednesday, February 29. It was a difficult decision to leave all the wonderful people who have befriended us here in Fullerton, as well as provided support for our new and small business to define its roots and flourish. Two key reasons drove our decision, one being a great opportunity to be in one of the premier travel, food, and wine destinations ... and also very importantly ... a desire to be closer to family. As many of you know, Ron's home with his wife (Anthony's sister) and grandchildren still reside in northern California. It is our desire to be closer as a total family. We want to say thank you to all of our supporters. Thank you to the people who helped us get catering spots. Thank you to the people who brought fresh fruits and snacks to the store for us. Thank you to those people who sang our praises. Thank you for listening to Ron's jokes and for sharing yours. Thank you for sharing your culinary and travel experiences and your recipes. We were delighted to be part of your lives. We shared in the birth of new additions and we mourned at the passing of loved ones. You made us feel like we belonged here and for that we will be forever grateful. THANK YOU and best wishes to each and every one of you. We look forward to you visiting us in Napa. We will be located at 670 Main St., Napa, California. Anthony, Ron & The Frati Team EARLY MARCH LOCAL NEWS 2012 FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 7 Fullerton’s major buildings like the Masonic Temple (now Spring Field Conference Center) on the corner of Harbor and Chapman were not badly damaged by the 1933 earthquake. PHOTO 1986 BY WARREN BOWEN All Shook Up in Fullerton! The Great Depression was in full flower! U.S. banks were to open and resume regular business the next day and restore the banking system President Roosevelt had closed. The Civilian Conservation Corps. was established to provide employment for hard up youth and other federal programs were getting ready to provide more jobs, many to be available in Fullerton. Overseas the Nazis were moving into Austria..trouble to come. A few days later the English walnut and orange groves of Fullerton were still thriving but on March 10, 1933, in midafternoon, much of southern California was badly shaken by a 6.3 earthquake! In areas like Compton, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Cypress people were dislodged from their homes. In business areas the fronts of store buildings, some schools and public buildings and houses fell in piles of rubble. There were over a hundred deaths immediately recorded with more to come. Many buildings had front sections built for attractiveness but loosely attached to the rest of the structures. This was often done to meet local fire codes with parapets tacked onto the structures for fire protection. They tumbled. Many people were left without shelter and numbers drove inland to places like Fullerton. Here the building damage was minimal...only the kitchen chimney on the California Hotel showed much damage. There was damage to some public buildings, most notably the three story brick Wilshire Jr. High School, which had cement bricks with little support. It had to be replaced. Fullerton General Hospital on E. Amerige was okay as was the combination fire station and City office building on W. Wilshire. Not knowing what else to do, many residents drove around city streets in their model A automobiles or other vehicles that night until they decided it was safe to go home. Out of town campers were accommodated in Hillcrest Park and the American Legion post and others provided meals prepared in their new meeting hall kitchen for several days, backed up by the Red Cross and Salvation Army. The Hillcrest Park reservoir, Fullerton's by Warren Bowen main store of water was okay, as was the railroad station. Major buildings like the Fox Theatre and the Masonic Temple had little to be concerned about. Although Cal Tech and other universities interested in earthquakes continued research, most of the tremors in California were in rural areas with no measurement instruments and little damage to mention. It wasn't until the Sylmar quake of 1971 that there was clear evidence of what southern California could expect in the future - although most cities had done their best to revise building codes after the '30s. The many public works structures of the later '30s and '40s were constructed of reinforced concrete. Examples are the downtown post office, the Museum Center (formerly the library) and most of the Fullerton College campus as well as the police station, originally the City Hall. The question arises, what about the other places in town along Harbor Blvd.? Though most survived l933, how good are they for “the big one” which we hear is about to come one day? And of course thousands of similar areas in our state have the same concerns. A couple of years ago a geology professor from CSUF made a good presentation at the library on the “faults” in our area...probably a good thing to repeat. Meanwhile we wait for future tremors or worse and we need to get car and home preparations up to speed, including a good supply of water for all and practice on what we need to do if the Big One comes! TOWN & GOWN FREE LECTURES FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Community Room, 353 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton All lectures start at 7pm March 13: Mammoth Mountian Volcano w/Dr. Brandon Browne April 10: Tsunami May 8: 10,000 Years of Past Climate Change in S. California June 12: Understanding Earthquakes in S. California More Info: 714-738-6326 We Love Fullerton Banner Program by Mike Ritto President Fullerton Downtown Business Association A meeting with Mayor Sharon QuirkSilva, our new Police Chief Dan Hughes, City of Fullerton employee Nicole Bernard and a few business owners hatched an idea that has taken off faster than we ever could have expected. All in attendance agreed that telling the story of Fullerton with a colorful and artistic banner installation all over town would be a great way to kick start 2012. They will be installed on light poles on major streets throughout Fullerton in the same locations used for our Centennial Celebration banners in 2004. Orders are coming in every day and we expect to have 200 or more installed by the end of March. Every design shows a person, place or thing the sponsor has chosen along with the headline “WE LOVE FULLERTON”. The sponsor’s name appears at the bottom of each twosided 30” by 8’ full color banner. Sponsors can be anyone who lives in or simply loves Fullerton and includes business owners, organizations, and Fullerton citizens who just want to participate and show why they LOVE FULLERTON. Each banner costs $310 and is yours to keep once they are removed from the banner poles. The city has approved the project but no city funds are being used. All banners will be installed on major streets throughout Fullerton and will be up for at least three months, with a potential for six months depending on the weather. For complete information on how to become a sponsor, for design ideas, and for an order form go to www.fullertondba.com or call 714-871-9153. Who Was Henry Wilshire? He has a street, a school and an auditorium in Fullerton named for him, but few people know who he was and why he was accorded these honors. Wilshire constructed the first business block in downtown Fullerton at the corner of Harbor and Commonwealth. “Henry Gaylord Wilshire: Millionaire Socialist” will be the topic of a free program at 7pm Mon., March 12 in the Community Room of the Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth. Guest speaker Louis Rosen will discuss Wilshire’s years in Fullerton and LA, and will try to answer the question of whether Wilshire was really a man of the people or an unethical charlatan and self-promoter. Page 8 FULLERTON OBSERVER LOCAL NEWS Planning Commission Okay’s Roscoe’s Outdoor Dining Space Jack Franklyn, owner of Roscoe’s, Joe’s and Heroes restaurants in the SOCO block, withdrew his application for approval of a searchlight sign before the planning commission hearing Feb. 22. The searchlight had been operating for about a year. The planning commission did grant his request to remove five public parking spaces and to rebuild an outdoor area to expand the patio in the alley at Roscoe’s. The redevelopment agency had, in 2008, rebuilt this area owned by Walt Johnson, a 24 year member of the redevelopment agency advisory committee. During public comment the commission members expressed surprise at hearing of vomit, urination, windows being etched and broken, and other unpleasantness occurring downtown. They asked staff for a full police report for the next commission meeting. Development Director Al Zelinka reviewed the noise ordinance, noting that noise from bars, restaurants and outdoor patios is restricted to being heard beyond 50 feet from the property or patio in question. He said that the ordinance is enforce if there are complaints from the public. “First, may I say that notice of this hearing was not adequate. It was mailed to 34 property owners within 300 feet of Roscoes, and posted on site, at the library, at the museum center and city hall. Downtown belongs to the citizens of Fullerton, not just the property owners. As former mayor Buck Catlin said in 2001, before the Restaurant Overlay District was approved, “We wanted the downtown to remain the center of the city.” How We Got Here May 2008, at a Fullerton Downtown Business Association meeting, City Planner Jay Eastman said operators need to think about broadening their client base. “Our intent is not to make night life go away. The general plan identifies downtown as a social place. We have a jewel here. It’s how they market it and who they market to [that matters]. We are here for the benefit of the community. It’s time to look at individual businesses trying to change what the downtown is.” (Fullerton Observer May 2008) The redevelopment agency spent $4.5 million on this one block they named SOCO. There are very large signs identifying SOCO, one over the entire street at Harbor Blvd., a four-square barn of a sign in the middle of the alley and two of them right in the pedestrian walkway. We put utilities underground. We put in fancy pavers which immediately became coated with grease from (illegal) washing kitchen mats and beer delivery truck traffic. (Mat-washing has since been remedied). We put in a large mural at the west end of the alley. Read your background report: we made hardscape, decorative paving, landscaping light fixtures and planter improvements in the public alley and on Walt Johnson’s property. The goal was to “help promote an active social downtown.” What We Got What we got was an area of ugly rowdiness. My son googled “revelry” to check spelling, and it came up “Fullerton.” The coarseness of the behaviors downtown has led, I believe, to the coarsening of public life, and especially the coarsening of law enforcement attitudes. That coarse attitude, I believe led to the beating death of a man by two officers while at least four other officers looked on. Police Capt. Greg Mayes said in 2008 that officers suffered “extreme grief ” on patrol downtown between 10pm and 2am. “There are refusals to comply with requests, insults, flipping off, groups starting fights when officers are right there. One Sunday night, four guys jumped one guy on the corner of Wilshire and Harbor. The man was in the hospital for days. With college kids, we did well. Now it's the party circuit, a different town every night.” (Fullerton Observer May 2008.) What we got is a seedy-looking downtown. A young resident told the mayor at her meeting last week that he does not bring his family downtown because it is not safe, and it looks unsafe with all the windows etched in graffiti. Nearly every last window on Harbor between Chapman and Commonwealth has been affected. Other people have told me of the filth on a Saturday or Sunday morning if they walk downtown for breakfast. What we got is a really trashy looking alley, with beer barrels stored outside, garish lights, moving L.E.D. signs, and a spotlight array in the walkway. I was at PAS Gallery on Santa Fe February 3, to see a show of LA painter Adrian Lopez. There was a crowd of really chic looking people, obviously big city, and as I walked home, I felt embarrassed passing the soco alley that these art people would see this mean street. We used to be somebody. Business people are really disgusted with the vomit they encounter coming to work Monday mornings, and are really tired of window breakage. I talk with these people. One long-time retailer said last week things are getting worse, not better. What we got is maintenance costs of $1.6 million a year–which the city keeps trying to pass on to the rest of us business people in a tax called business improvement district. What we got is a parking structure costing taxpayers two and a half times the normal parking structure, supposedly for commuters, but the sign says, “SOCO Parking Structure” and staff already excused parking from the Continental Bar (not a restaurant) because of this parking. And as soon as it is done, it is expected that Jack Franklyn will move to take over the public parking lot at the west end of his place for outdoor dining. What other businesses have had the city make improvements on their property, then let them close off more public space from public use? Do we really need this patio expansion to promote an “active social downtown?” How much more “active” can we afford? Do we want the drinking sort of active, the party circuit expanded, that is. And if it costs $1.6 million now, how much more will that go up? By the way, the bar owners asked redevelopment in 2004 for a bridge over Harbor to “connect the two SOCO’s.” They got it! What maintenance costs will we pay for that? Will giving away more public space benefit us the taxpayers and citizens? Or will it benefit the applicant and property owner, Franklyn and Johnson?” 2012 BIRTHDAYS continued on page 9 Funny & Not So Funny Business Downtown Comments by downtown business owner J.A. Kaluzny at the February 22 Planning Commission public hearing on application of Jack Franklyn to expand Roscoe’s by removing public parking. EARLY MARCH PHOTO BY DWAIN VAN DIEST Donna Bagley The First Hundred Years Donna Bagley has been too busy to grow old. Bagley, who turns 100 on March 10, would have been a trailblazer in any city where she lived. Birthday parties in two cities will honor her. She will celebrate with fellow members in the Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church of Fullerton on March 4 at 11:45 a.m. And in her hometown, the City of Buena Park, the Buena Park Woman’s Club, and the Buena Park Rotary Club will host the centenarian birthday girl on March 10 at 10:30 a.m. in an invitation-only event at Heritage Hall in Ehlers Community Center, 8150 Knott Ave. At the Buena Park event she will be the first recipient of the Donna Bagley Woman in Leadership Award, honoring her for her accomplishments on behalf of her city. During her 50-some years of volunteering in civic affairs, she convinced the County Board of Supervisors not to build a street-level freeway through Buena Park, was the first woman elected to the Boys Club board, and served on the Buena Park Library Board for eight and a half years. She became a member of Rotary International (before women were allowed to join the service club) because of her knowledge of Buena Park history. Her questioning of a Buena Park School Board policy resulted in changes that made board meetings more open to the public. To follow up the action, she attended every school board meeting for five years. Bagley and her late husband Wally joined the First Christian Church of Fullerton in 1951 and kept alive a church tradition of preparing and serving Thanksgiving breakfast to servicemen who were unable to be home for the holiday. For the church’s popular annual Bazaar, Donna baked some 2,000 pies over the years. She also served the church as a substitute Sunday school teacher for more than 15 years. The Bagleys were blessed with two sons. Paul, born in 1946, died in a 1966 auto accident. Richard, born in 1950, lives in Yorba Linda with wife Cheri. Donna has four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Anyone reaching 100 years of age is bound to be asked the secret of longevity. Donna attributes her long, happy and full life to (1) marrying the right man, (2) putting the family first, (3) being open to meeting new people, and (4) help from Social Security. EARLY MARCH 2012 BIRTHDAYS FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 9 Happy 80th Birthday Nancy Green Nancy Green works at Laguna Road Elementary with students in Kindergarten. The school just celebrated their 50th Year Golden Anniversary. “Nancy just turned 80 and can still break-out some moves on the dance floor! She is full of energy and has a smile that lights up the room,” said Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva who presented the Happy Birthday certificate. “Super Flo Celebrates her 80th Birthday by Peter Fong Elsie Green’s 106th Birthday by Elizabeth P. Clippinger Elsie Mildred Green, recently celebrated her 106th birthday! She was born February 8, 1906 in Goddard, Kansas to William and Emma Warfield. In 1912, when she was 6 years old, the family moved to Southern California for her younger brother's health. They lived in Anaheim, Fullerton, and briefly in LA. About 1920 her father was hired by the Associated Oil Company and they lived in a house on company property at Imperial Highway and Associated Rd. east of Brea. After graduating from Fullerton Union High School in 1924, Elsie enrolled in a business college and worked for the Chaffee Grocery Store in Brea. She was then employed by the Law Firms of E.O. Mathis in Anaheim and then by Waters, Leaner and Collins in Fullerton. During this time her cousins introduced her to Charles “Cash” Green. Elsie thought he was a handsome young man and a lot of fun! Cash commented that the more he talked to this cute little gal the more he thought he should be the one to take care of her for life. They dated and were married July 12, 1927 in her parents home. Eventually, they moved to Brea. Elsie worked for 2 years as a PBX telephone operator for Union Oil Co., and also at the local grocery store (her favorite job). Cash was employed most of their married life by Anaheim Track & Transfer. Cash and Elsie had 3 children Dwight, Barbara and Marjorie. They were a happy family in the early years and during the Depression, kept chickens and a milk cow and raised a bountiful vegetable garden. Elsie preserved everything she could and they traded for staples at the local grocery store. In 1947, they decided to try farming in Washington state with Elsie's brother and family. Two years later they returned and built a little home on Laurel St. in Brea - it is still there today. In time, Elsie took a position as a cafeteria employee with the Brea School District and worked there for 12 years. In 1950, Elsie and Cash bought a home in Yorba Linda. It was here they enjoyed 40 more years of married life. Elsie has fond memories of the grandchildren coming on the weekends, filling the house with fun and laughter. Elsie and Cash were longtime members of Faith Community Church. and she still enjoys visits from her church family. She and Cash had a travel trailer and enjoyed many years of R.V. ing with the Aloha R.V. Club. Cash passed away in 1990 and Elsie moved to Brighton Gardens (now Emeritus) in Yorba Linda. Most of her family live nearby so she sees them often. She says their attention and affection are the reason she is still alive at 106. Elsie has 3 children, 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren with 2 more expected this summer. At her birthday celebration the Fullerton High School Principal Cathy Gach and the principal’s secretary Linda Kay Gluhak were her special guests. They gave her a wonderful quilt and big banner that the Fullerton High School students made for her. The banner said “Happy Birthday Lady Indian!” Elsie would be the first to say that she has been blessed with a long and wonderful life! On February 13, 2012, Flo Ayala Anderton celebrated her 80th birthday with approximately 200 coworkers, family and friends. John Leary, former president of Adams’ Rite Aerospace (ARA) affectionately referred to the guest of honor as “Super Flo” and shared a heart warming story about Flo with the guests. Three years ago Flo took a leave of absence to have some medical treatment…well it was open heart surgery. Upon his visit to the hospital John quickly learned from the nurses that Flo insisted to hospital staff that “you better take good care of me, because I have to get back to work!” When the nurses learned that she had a real boss, a real job, and really needed to get back to work…they cried, because they thought she was just another elderly patient with illusions of grandeur and really didn’t have a job. The audience laughed and really enjoyed the story of Flo’s tenacity and dedication to work. Flo’s immediate supervisor, Rey Trinidad, then gave a tribute to her warmth, kindness, physical flexibility, and cooking talents with chili beans. He said, “Flo loved feeding people.” He expressed what an honor and privilege everyone who worked around her felt. The next presentation was Sharon Quirk-Silva, the mayor of Fullerton, who presented Flo with a beautiful certificate congratulating her for her achievements and contributions to ARA. She also expressed some beautiful sentiments about other 80 year old women who are still working and mak- Flo gets a tribute from the mayor of Fullerton ing a positive contribution to their companies. During the video tribute to Flo the audience saw a photo of her late husband John Anderton. They were married for 44 years. They raised 3 daughters, 1 son, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Flo is very proud of the fact that she has great family, as well as a great work family at ARA. For the past 15 years she has been driving herself to Fullerton each day from Montebello for work. In tongue and cheek fashion, Flo announced her retirement date to be in five years when she reaches 85. She told the Fullerton Observer that the secret to her longevity is loving her work and the great people she works with everyday; going to the gym 3 times a week; visiting the casinos, watching movies, and since she was raised on a farm…eating lots of vegetables. “This is my black hair and I have all my teeth.” You go girl! Page 10 FULLERTON OBSERVER COUNCIL REPORT continued EARLY MARCH 2012 COUNCIL REPORT FEB. 21, 2012 continued from page 4 Girl Scout Troop 890 from Hermosa Drive Elementary led the pledge of allegiance to open the meeting. PROCLAMATIONS •Railroad Days representatives were hailed for their very positive annual festival which will return to Fullerton on May 5 & 6. •Art Walk Founder Jesse La Tour received a commendation for his vision in creating the very popular First Friday Downtown Art Walk. He spoke briefly and invited everyone to the 2nd Anniversary of the Art Walk on March 2 at the Downtown Museum Plaza from 6 to 10pm. (see front page article). PUBLIC COMMENTS Council chambers were standing room only with an overflow crowd listening on TV from the foyer. Public comments took an hour. •Hiring of Officer Cicinelli: Barry Levinson criticized McKinley for hiring Officer Cicinelli (charged with manslaughter in the killing of Kelly Thomas), for hiring him in the first place. He noted an interview where McKinley said he had hired Cicinelli as a favor to a colleague in the LA Police Dept. where both McKinley and Cicinelli once worked. He questioned why McKinley when he was Chief of Police would allow Officer Rincon (who was recently fired for molesting numerous women he arrested) continue working for the FPD. Levinson also said according to FBI Crime Stats crime in Fullerton went up 200% while McKinley was chief. Councilmember McKinley was stopped by the Mayor from answering Mr. Levinson. “We are not going to get into a back and forth conversation here,” she said. Later in the meeting during Council Comment time, McKinley did defend the hiring of Cicinelli saying he had checked with authorities to see if there were any barriers to hiring an officer with only one eye, and there weren’t. He also said that Cicinelli had served the Fullerton Police Dept. for 13 years with a great record. He said he had worked very closely with the district attorney on the Rincon case but the DA could not charge him. “When I was Chief we put him on desk duty. The allegations about a 200% crime jump when I was chief are simply not true.” •Gennaco’s Report & Self Serve Car Wash: Tony Package said he was disappointed in Gennaco’s “no substance” report which cost the city $70,000. He wanted a timeline, and asked why it took so long to get this information out to the public. On the self serve car wash proposal he noted that the traffic circulation study had been done by the developer. He thought it might be self-serving. •Unfair Tow?: A man from Whittier said he had been at city hall since 3:30pm trying to sort out why he was illegally towed and had to pay Fullerton $33 to pick up his car in Placentia. The Mayor asked him to visit her during her office hours to see if something could be done. •Graffiti: A woman mentioned that for the 4th time a fence in her neighborhood had been graffitied and needed to be sandblasted. Why can’t we catch the guy? •Treating Homeless with Respect: A woman praised Officer J. DeCaprio for treating the homeless with respect. She thanked police and fire for all the work they do. “Not all police are bad. Let’s think of what we can do to build things up.” •Homeless & Mentally Ill Need a Place to Stay and Stoplight near Beechwood School: A nurse with a business near the train station said that the homeless and mentally ill need a safe place to be - hanging out on the streets is not an adequate solution. She also said two small kids and a mom were hit by an elderly driver near Beechwood School. “We need to have a light or more police presence in that area.” •Cicinelli’s Stepfather: John Hulesmith, stepfather of Officer Cicinelli, charged with manslaughter in the Kelly Thomas case, said “My son is not a murderer. He will be As the standing room only council meeting continued inside city hall following his report to the council, independent investigator Mike Gennaco answered media questions outside. Eight TV crews and numerous reporters attended the session. See story on frontpage. PHOTO JERE GREENE vindicated. He is not to blame for the tragedy.” He said there were no bogus hiring practices. His son had to go through a battery of health and other testing. He has lots of honors and has served the city well for 13 years. •Ron Thomas: Kelly Thomas’ dad said he was confident that Chief Dan Hughes would do the right thing. He asked that the attorney, police dept., and council get together to make a public apology. “My son was not a thief, didn’t break any bones, did not fight the officers, did not steal cars or mail.” He asked that a street corner be named for Kelly. •Dina Thomas: Kelly’s stepmom said that Jones, Bankhead and McKinley should apologize for statements they have made concerning her son. Several other speakers said the same. •Verbal Abuse: A former police officer said he was proud to be a Fullerton resident and backed former police chief McKinley, and former police captain Bankhead 100%. “I’m sorry you have to take all this verbal abuse at each council meeting.” SUCCESSOR AGENCY DEBT PAYMENT PLAN Item 6 on the agenda was an authorization to form an oversight board to decide how to deal with repayment of over $399.9 million in redevelopment debt obligations for current contracts and past projects; $64.8 million which is due this fiscal year. Items on the list include total debts for the parking structure behind the Fox ($6.2 million); Lease of Fullerton Arboretum ($195,000); Staff salaries ($1.7 million) benefits ($702,000); Professional Legal Services ($860,000); Capital Improvement projects and programs ($324.6 million); College Town Specific Plan ($1 million); Downtown Core & Corridors ($1.3 million); Fox Theater ($6 million); Fullerton Community Center ($28.5 million); Fullerton Library ($9 million); Amerige Court ($100,000); State College Grade Separation ($2.9 million); Parking Structure Grant Match ($98,000); and more. The group’s members would include the city manager, director of Admin Services, city treasurer, and fiscal services manager, as well as members appointed by various agencies including OC Water District, OC Transit District, OC Sanitation District, OC Office of Ed, OC Vector Control, OC Supervisor Nelson’s office WAR COSTS in Life & Money IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN • 105,430 • 4,485 • 1,904 Civilians killed by military www.iraqbodycount.org (2/24/2012) US Soldiers killed in Iraq: (DoD 2/23/2011) US Soldiers killed in Afghanistan (2/24/2012) www.icasualties.org • 32,200 • 14,342 US Soldiers wounded (DOD reports) www.icasualties.org Iraq (3/2003 thru 10/2011) Afghanistan (10/2001 thru 10/2011) • $1.305 Trillion Cost of Wars Since 2001 www.costofwar.com (2/24/2012) (rounded down) (Iraq $801.3 billion) (Afghanistan $504.2 billion) and more. Councilmember Whitaker asked if the council would have final approval over the oversight group. He was told that the council would have first approval, then the plan would go to the oversight committee, and then to the state. 4-1 (Whitaker, No) ORANGETHORPE DEVELOPMENT Adam Moore, a west Fullerton resident, spoke in favor of the for-sale condiminium project at 1110 W. Orangethorpe Ave. at Ash proposed by Brandywine Homes. He said the west Fullerton improvement group which has been meeting with Development Director Al Zelinka approves of an owner-occupied development over rentals. He said the Korean American population in west Fullerton is growing. The area is improving dramatically with amazing progress in working with Chief Hughes and his detectives on grafiti and vandalism issues. Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva said that Mr. Moore came to council over a year ago with concerns. Since then he and other west Fullerton residents have held very productive meetings with Development Director Al Zelinka to come up with solutions to problems in the neighborhoods. She said she had appointed him to the Euclid Corridor Committee and he has become a leader in the community. Two other properties one at 655 W. Valencia Dr. envisioned as a mix of retail and commercial uses and another on the north side of East Orangefair Mall between Harbor and Lemon envisioned as high density development residential, commercial and mixed use, were also proposed for Specific Plan Authorization. The proposal was approved 4-1 (Whitaker, No) ALEXANDER SENIOR HOUSING FINANCING A public hearing for financing of a senior housing project proposed at 345 E. Commonwealth has been continued to the March 6 meeting. (4-1, Whitaker No) RECALL ELECTION There was unanimous approval to put the question of whether Councilmembers Dick Jones, Don Bankhead and Pat McKinley should be recalled and replaced with other candidates on the June 5 ballot. EVERY WEDNESDAY CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET Rain or Shine 8am to 1pm Independence Park , 801 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton 714-535-5694 Know Where Your Food Comes From! EARLY MARCH 2012 COUNCIL REPORT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE The General Plan is open to a 45-day public review and comment period through April 5, 2012. Copies of the document can be seen at city hall, and the main and Hunt libraries and on the city website. The plan will take the city through year 2030. Seventeen people served for five years to develop the new plan which is drastically different from the 1996 plan. 5-0 file ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AD HOC COMMITTEE Councilmembers asked the city manager to develop options regarding the possible formation of a citizen’s advisory body that would focus on economic development activities in the city. The committee would be led by City Manager Joe Felz and each councilmember would appoint one member. The group would work to assess current economic development activities in Fullerton and advise the city manager who will return to the council in April with recommendations on the possible formation of an Economic Development Commission or other options. Economic development was a function of the now defunct Redevelopment Agency. With dissolution of the agency those duties have been transitioned to the city manager’s office. Staff is also working on transportation planning with an economic focus. The formation of a North OC Economic Development Partnership is nearing completion. This is a multi-city effort to align economic development strategies to strengthen each city’s role in the region. The potential in Fullerton is being focused on the transportation center; educational institutions; major medical center; historic downtown and major commercial corridors. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Theresa Harvey has already expressed interest in sitting on the committee should it be formed. Among areas of importance to be addressed by the committee according to the Chamber are: 1) Removing burdens and barriers to business growth; 2) Evaluating and streamlining the permit process; 3) Providing inducements to businesses who wish to expand, locate or relocate a business in Fullerton; 4) Identify opportunities to increase revenue to the city. Harvey noted that small businesses created two thirds of the net new jobs over the past century. Rodger Burtner, chair of the Technology Working Group said there should be one person from the Tech group included. Councilmember Bankhead immediately asked him if he would like to be his representative on the committee. Burtner declined saying there may be others who would like to be considered. Public commenter Greg Sebourn (who has pulled papers to run in the recall election) asked why the Chamber of Commerce isn’t carrying the ball on this. FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 11 continued FIES Donation Fullerton Emblem Club #469 President Frances Hardie recently presented a $1000 check donated from the Emblem Club to Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service. FIES Board members Irene and Paul Broden are shown gratefully accepting the check. Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service is a north County non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding lives of the hungry and homeless. “The council isn’t here to give businesses opportunity, We have infrastructure problems!” Councilmember Whitaker said “we are getting knocks on the door, particularly from the Korean community, saying we want to do business in Fullerton but we are being invited by Irvine and other towns to locate there.” The formation of the committee was approved 5-0. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Jones announced that Dr. Bill Lenahan had died. There was a noticeable gasp from the audience. See page 17 American Legion Adjutant Ed Paul, Mark McGee of MG Disposal Republic Services, Bill McAulay of McAulay and Wallace Mortuary, and Commander Marilyn Harris, Commander. Councilmember McKinley answered Levinson’s allegations (see first item under public comments page 10) Councilmember Whitaker asked once again to have the issue of council access to records put on the agenda. “No councilmember should be prevented from doing his job as a representative. According to the state there is no legal authority to restrict access. About Gennaco’s report I have all the satisfaction of a fast food meal. There were no new facts.” Councilmember Bankhead speaking about Whitaker’s request to access records, “You go to the city manager with requests for info not to each department.” Whitaker replied that “I have the authority to inspect records as an audit function whether people want to deny me is another situation.” Mayor Quirk-Silva “I also know the feeling of not being able to get an item on the agenda because I could not get a second vote. I did support putting the access item on the agenda and I second the request again now.” The mayor also gave updates on some past council items: Skate Park: “We met with the youth who came and asked us to reopen the Independence Skatepark. Parks and Rec staff had already been working on the issue. Twenty to thirty skaters and their parents came and voiced some very positive solutions at the meeting. Steps are in progress to open the park. SRO: “SRO residents have formed their own representative group and Officer DeCaprio and others have met and are working closely with them to solve management problems. We are very close to finding a new manager.” Soccer: “Young soccer players came to council and asked why they can’t use the Richman Soccer Field. Pony League baseball plays there during part of the year and we can’t say the field is only for soccer players.” We Love Fullerton Banners: see page 7 Gary Carter: The meeting was adjourned in the memory of Gary Carter (see page 16). I would like to put an item on the agenda naming a sports field or other facility in his honor said the mayor. Next meeting 6:30pm Tues. March 6 PHOTO BY MIKE BOX American Legion Recognizes Commander’s Club At its February meeting, the Fullerton American Legion Post 142 recognized eight charter members of the Post’s Commander’s Club for their 10 continuous years of contributions that support the Post’s community programs. Each was presented with a desk plaque that recognized the individuals and their companies for the support of the Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, Boys and Girls State Delegates and JROTC and Academic Scholarships to students at Fullerton, Sunny Hills and Troy High Schools. Honored were Sharon Adams-Loma Vista Memorial Park; Dave Bates, Bates, Coughtry & Reiss, LLP; Allan Bridgford, Bridgford Foods; William J. McGarvey, Jr.; Mark McGee, MG Disposal Republic Services, Bill McAulay, McAulay and Wallace Mortuary; Tom Meyer, Fullerton Community (now Opus) Bank; and Dennis Ulrich, Hydroflow. Other Commander’s Club members are Don and Carol Bankhead, Marty Burbank, Buck and Bobbie Catlin, Hal and Marcia Dixon, Arty and Carole King, Ed and Pansy Paul, Neil Reich and Cheryl Wagner-Able Wagner, Inc. Long time resident Jim Blake was welcomed as the newest member of the Commander’s Club. Fullerton is a unique American Legion Post in that it has been a “virtual” Post for 35 years, having sold the Post building in the mid-1970’s. Monthly meetings for the last 20 years have been held at the Sizzler on Harbor Blvd. The Commander’s Club is vital in helping the Post sponsor the programs that enhance the Fullerton community. The Post is one of the most active Post’s in the State. General Plan Ready for Public Review The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed Fullerton General Plan Update and accompanying Bicycle Master Plan, Climate Action Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Copies of all documents may be reviewed in the Development Department at Fullerton City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Ave., and at the Fullerton Main Library, 353 W. Commonwealth, and the Hunt Branch Library, 201 S. Basque Ave. The documents may also be accessed through the Community Development section of the City of Fullerton website, www.cityoffullerton.com. The public review and comment period on the EIR will end Thursday, April 5. The City began a comprehensive update to the General Plan, now known as “The Fullerton Plan,” in late 2006. The plan was last updated in 1996. The purpose of plan is to implement the community’s vision for Fullerton’s future. Since the beginning of the update process, an emphasis has been to create a community-based plan that will respond to the priorities of the community expressed in “The Fullerton Vision“ opening statement to The Fullerton Plan, said Heather Allen, planning manager for the city. The plan is organized into four master elements: •Fullerton Built Environment •Fullerton Economy •Fullerton Community •Fullerton Natural Environment Each element contains 21 chapters (or sub-elements) based on priorities, goals, policies and actions designed to achieve the goals stated in the community vision. The plan also includes an implementation strategy to ensure accountability to the community vision. Extensive community outreach efforts – including meetings, workshops and mailings – were employed in the update process to obtain input from a maximum number of the Fullerton citizenry. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider The Fullerton Plan and all accompanying documents at a special meeting Wed. April 18. Call 714-7386884 for time. For further information about the General Plan update process, log onto the city website or call Planning Manager Heather Allen at (714) 738-6884. Page 12 FULLERTON OBSERVER Walking the Walk continued from frontpage On Friday, March 2, 2012 from 6-10pm, the Downtown Fullerton Art Walk will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a massive art event at the Fullerton Museum Plaza. This special event will celebrate the growing Fullerton art community by giving people a central location to meet. The community will gather amongst live art demonstrations, interactive art displays, live music from bands like Jupilar and jams from Lil Rock, dance performances from the CF Dance Academy, visual art of many local artists like Mike Myers and Monk Muñoz, kids activities, food trucks, and the beer and wine garden. Many venues will be closed so they can attend this onenight art event at the plaza. On the plaza you'll find regular Art Walk participating venues including Max Bloom's Cafe Noir, Lucero Photography, Tranquil Tea Lounge, BTNC, Hibbleton, Bookmachine, PÄS, Studio EMP, Josh and Monica's Studio, Adorned, Carpe Diem Experience, Secret City Comic Society, NoCo Studio, Pastel Art Gallery, Fullerton Museum and more. Also joining the festivities are other Fullerton arts organizations such as Stages, Hunger Artists, The Muckenthaler, Fullerton College Art Department, The ART & MUSIC Fox Theater and All the Arts for All the Kids Foundation. The Downtown Fullerton Art Walk is building relationships between arts organizations, downtown businesses, and the public, and has emerged as a regular part of the downtown culture. It is developed and promoted by the downtown art community and retailers who independently curate their own shows. It's every month, it's all ages, and it's free! Starting two years ago with only a handful of art-minded businesses, the event has now grown to more than 30 venues in the downtown Fullerton area. Formally, the Downtown Fullerton Art Walk is a coalition of galleries and businesses whose goal is to promote the arts and build community. Informally, we're just a bunch of locals who get together every month welcoming new friends into the Fullerton art scene. The monthly Art Walk is usually a multi-venue art experience guiding visitors through the downtown area, but for March all the fun for this ground-breaking two-year anniversary event will be held in the heart of downtown at the Fullerton Museum Center. I can't wait to see you there. Come enjoy some family-friendly fun and be inspired by your local artists on Friday, March 2nd! For more information about this free event, please visit www.fullertonartwalk.com or hit me up at 714 871 2727. ART GALLERY LISTINGS LUCERO PHOTOGRAPHY 112 W. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton FULLERTON MUSEUM CENTER 301 N. Pomona (corner of Wilshire) Downtown Fullerton 714) 738-6545 •MUSEUM FOYER GALLERY “SCRATCHING THE SURFACE: RETRO HUMOR”: Paintings by Constance Esposito opens March 2nd thru April 22. •CITRUS: CALIFORNIA’S GOLDEN DREAM: Fruit labels, historic books, maps, postcards, farm machinery, packing crates and other citrus industry memorabilia on loan from the California Citrus State Historic Park, Fullerton Arboretum, Bowers Museum of Cultural Arts, and the Homestead Museum, as well as from individuals including Gordon McClelland, Mike Ritto and Jack Franklyn are on exhibit thru March 25, 2012. Few developments helped spark the growth of young Orange County communities, such as Fullerton, as the citrus industry. A key player in that growth was Charles Chapman, Fullerton’s first mayor, who revolutionized the industry in the 1890s by championing the Valencia orange. Agriculture quickly became the community’s leading industry. Fullerton, with more orange groves than any other Orange County city, featured packing houses shipping as much as $15 million in citrus crops in banner years. Today fewer than 50 acres of groves remain. CITY OF BREA GALLERY Brea Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea 714-990-7730 www.breagallery.com •A GRADUATE INTROSPECTIVE: This exhibit, featuring all mediums, examines the artwork of MFA/MA grad students and highlights the next wave of groundbreaking art and artists at our top local institutions including CSUF, CSU Long Beach, Claremont, UCI and UC Riverside. Open Wed through Sun. 12 noon to 5pm - through March 2. $2/adults; children under 12 free. EARLY MARCH 2012 Music at CSUF 800 N. State College, Fullerton Tickets: www.fullerton.edu/arts/events (657) 278-3371 •Thurs., March 1, 8pm: CSUF Jazz Ensembles with John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckmann Meng Concert Hall, $15 •Fri., March 2, 8pm: CSUF New Music Ensemble with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE); Pauline Oliveros, Guest Composer in Residence; Steve Lehman, Saxophonist/composer Meng Concert Hall, $15 •Sat., March 3, 10am-6pm: ComposerPerformer Symposium/World Electroacoustic Listening Room Project. Recital Hall, Free. •Sat., March 3, 8pm: International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE); Pauline Oliveros, Guest Composer in Residence; Steve Lehman, Saxophonist/composer Meng Concert Hall, $15 •Sun., March 4, 4pm: University Symphony Orchestra with Bill Cunliffe, Jazz pianist/Composer & w/Concerto-Aria Competition Winners Meng Concert Hall, $15 •JAZZ PORTRAITS BY RAUL PIZANO: Jazz themed portraits in acrylic on canvas by Pizano who began painting full time in 2005 after he retired will be shown along with the photo and fine art work of owners Jeremy and Ana Lucero during Fullerton Art Walk on Friday, March 2, from 6pm to 10pm. •Thurs., March 8, 8pm: Fullerton Jazz Orchestra & Big Band w/ Bill Cunliffe, director. Meng Concert Hall, $10 MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER 1201 W. Malvern, Fullerton 714) 738-6595 www.themuck.org •Fri., March 9 & 10, 12pm: Symphonic Winds w/conductor Mitchell Fennell Meng Concert Hall, Free. •KOREAN POJAGI FABRIC ART: For centuries, Korean women have stitched together excess scraps of fabric to form wrapping cloths called pojagi. This exhibit examines the tradition in the hands of Koreans and Korean-Americans who have carried the practice into the 21st century, as well as the intersection of pojagi and the expanding language of American quilting in general. The exhibit includes work by Youngmin Lee, Hena Jhee, Bong Hwa Kim, Cynthia Treen, Jiseon Lee Isbara, Myung Ok Oh, Ye Jin Lee, Donghyun Chung, Jack Brockette, Soon Ok Ahn, Enju Pak, and others. - thru April 1. GRAND CENTRAL ART 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana 714-567-7233 www.grandcentralartcenter.com •HERE IN YOUR SPACE: Here in Your Space focuses on the work of three artists - Guy Ben-Ner, Christian Jankowski and Gillian Wearing - engaging in private/pubic space. The artists use the medium of video to capture their own private performative actions within public spaces. All three videos occur in corporate environments, the privately owned spaces that, for much of US society, have become our defacto places for public gathering. In light of the economic situation in the US over the past few years, the issues of individual rights within perceived public space are increasingly at the forefront of the national dialogue. Stories in the news describe squatters claiming foreclosed homes, now owned by banks which received government (public) bailouts; individuals camping out for holiday or ticket sales on private property vs. those camping out in support of Occupy on public property; and New York's Zuccotti Park, which brought forward the topic of hybrid models referred to as POPS (Privately-OwnedPublic-Space). The works question the anticipated norms of behavior in public and private settings - the attempts of individuals to claim private and public owned properties as their own personal space. They blur the boundary of public vs. private, your space vs. mine. thru April 15 •Fri., March 9 & 10, 5pm: University Wind Symphony w/ conductor Mitchell Fennell Meng Concert Hall, Free •Tues., March 13, 8pm: Jazz Small Groups w/ director Bill Cunliffe Minor Hall, Free •Thurs., March 15, 8pm: Lloyd Rodgers Group. Recital Hall, $10 •Fri., March 16, 8pm: Guitar Chamber Recital Recital Hall, Free. Artists and Crafters Sought for Spring Fair Cal State Fullerton's Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Modjeska Canyon, invites local artisans to participate in its fourth annual Spring Fair and Art Festival to be held this year on the weekend of April 21 and 22 (Earth Day). The deadline is March 1 for vendor and sponsor applications, which are available for download at www.tuckerwildlife.org or by contacting Shauna Brady at 714-649-2760 or by email to [email protected]. EARLY MARCH 2012 THEATER LISTINGS HUNGER ARTISTS THEATER 699-A S. State College, Fullerton Tickets: 714-680-6803 www.hungerartists.com •WESTSIDE TERRI: conceived by Christopher Basile, Alexander Price and Terri Mowrey, directed by Christopher Basile plays through March 4. In this encore staging, Best OC Actress 2011, Terri Mowrey shares her lifelong love of musicals and how they relate to the ups and downs of being a confident actress. Using song, dance, drama and comedy Terri takes us on a heart wrenching journey through the struggles and triumphs of her life. Hilarious. $18; $15/students & seniors. 8pm Fri & Sat; 7pm Sun. •THE CHERRY ORCHARD: by Anton Chekhov, directed by Gary Lewis McKee II opens March 16 and plays through April 7. Showtimes are at 8pm on Fri. & Sat; 7pm on Sun. STAGES THEATER 400 E. Commonwealth, Fullerton Tickets: 714-525-4484 www.stagesoc.org •AMERICAN BUFFALO by David Mamet, directed by Katie Chidester plays thru Feb. 19. Fri., Sat. at 8pm; Sun. at 2pm. $20/general; $17/ students & seniors. Adult content. •SUBTERFUGE by Tina Mittler, directed by Andrea Freeman plays thru Feb. 18th, Sat. & Sun. at 5pm. A story of loss and truth. After the sudden death of her husband, Laurel returns to the quiet Midwestern town of her youth to grieve. Seeking answers about her past and present, Laurel begins to uncover her family's secrets while her well-meaning mother tries to maintain the status quo. In search of comfort, Laurel renews her relationship with her childhood friend Laci and Laci's mother Grace. In the stillness of the present, Laurel looks to the past and discovers that some secrets are best left buried. THEATER FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 13 REVIEWED by Caitlin Orr MAVERICK THEATER 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton Tickets: 714-526-7070 www.mavericktheater.com •PRELUDE TO A KISS by Craig Lucas plays through Feb. 18 on Fri. & Sat. at 8pm; Sun. at 4pm. $20/adults $10/students with ID. A quirky romantic comedy. A young couple, Peter and Rita, meet at a party and hit it off. After a short time they decide to make the big leap, but what they didn’t plan for was what happens at their wedding. What could be described as a “Twilight Zone” moment leaves Peter trying to put the couple’s lives back on track again. The play was commissioned and originally staged by South Coast Repertory in January 1988, later went onto Broadway and was made into a feature film starring Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan. •IMPROV SHIMPROV late night improv comedy Fri. & Sat. at 11pm. $5 COMING UP •The Legend of Robin Hood (plays March 2 - April 14; Frost/Nixon opens in April. CHANCE THEATER 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills Tickets: 714-777-3033 www.chancetheater.com •ROOMS: A ROCK ROMANCE plays through March 4 in a West Coast Premiere. She longs to see every room in the world... He longs to stay in his... ROOMS: a rock romance begins in late 1970’s Glasgow where Monica, an ambitious singer/songwriter meets Ian, a reclusive rocker. The two quickly become entangled creatively and romantically. Their music takes them first to London and ultimately to New York City, where they discover the vibrant new music scene and create an intimate partnership, their love deepening while their personalities drive them apart. Directed by Patrick Pearson, Music Direction by Robyn Manion; book by Miriam Gordon Erin Miller, Amy Hitchcock, Dalisa Krauss at back; and Janet McGregor, Katie Nicol at front in Nunsense Fullerton’s Erin Miller as Sister Amnesia in Costa Mesa Playhouse Production If you are in the mood for a delightfully entertaining musical, then do yourself a favor and see Nunsense at the Costa Mesa Playhouse. It’s a troop of hysterical, singing (and ballet dancing!) nuns who are urging you, the audience, to help make a donation to their congregation. You see, unfortunately, the Little Sisters of Hoboken’s cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of their fellow Sisters…..and the remaining nuns still need a little money to help bury them all. It’s a fabulously funny evening, with a little something for everyone. The musical is made up of a group of singing, joking, and tap-dancing nuns all of whom bring to their performances an ease that creates the feel of an actual fundraiser for the poor poisoned Sisters of Hoboken. Mother Superior is your stereotypical head-of-house: bossy, pointed, but not without a sense of humor….and a past. Sister Hubert is the second in command, with a few tricks up her sleeve as well. Sister Robert Anne yearns for her five minutes of fame and carries a lot of the laughs with her laundry list of surprise entertainments. Sister Amnesia is…well I can’t remember…..She is, actually, a ball of laughs (and oh what a voice!) and shines in her improv scene. Lastly, Sister Leo is sweet, genial, and….a ballerina? Free ESL Classes Tuesdays from 10am to 11:30pm Fullerton Community Center (temporarily housed at St. Mary’s Church, 400 W. Commonwealth Ave., during construction of a new community center.) Volunteer instructor Florence Epstein presents creative projects and small group interaction opportunities to help students improve their English-speaking skills, practice pronunciation, and increase their vocabulary and comprehension. The class is open to the community; pre-registration is not required. Call the Fullerton Community Center at (714) 738-6305. The five Sisters have a lot in store for the audience, with surprise numbers, secrets to be told, and a series of very funny jokes made at their own expense. A live band also partakes in the laughs and makes you feel, rightfully, like you are in for a treat. I went to the all female performance (starring Fullerton’s very own Erin Miller as Sister Amnesia!), but would love to go back and see Nunsense AMen! An all-male cast; what a clever way to bring new life into an already charming musical. Nunsense plays weekends at the Costa Mesa Playhouse from now until Sunday, March 11th. The show is scheduled for Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The female and male versions alternate performances. For more information visit www.costamesaplayhouse.org or call (949) 650 – 5269 for reservations. Page 14 FULLERTON OBSERVER HITS & MISSES © 2012 by Joyce Mason A SEPARATION: Two Hits As tensions grow daily between Iran and much of the western world, it’s notable that a small domestic film made in Tehran has moved audiences and critics in Europe and the United States. Winner of Berlin’s Golden Bear and the New York Film Critics Best Foreign Film of 2011, “A Separation” continues to engage audiences in profound ways, offering insights into a family dilemma that grows into a crisis. Facing a judge whom the audience doesn’t see, Nader (Peyman Moadi) hears his wife, Simin (Leila Hatami), request a divorce because she wishes to move out of Iran so that their 11-yearold daughter will have a better future. Nader opposes the move because he needs to stay in Iran to care for his father suffering from Alzheimer’s. Simin counters that his father doesn’t even recognize him, but Nader responds, “I know he’s my father.” A separation but not a divorce is granted. Simin, not wanting to leave the country without her daughter, moves into her parents’ home, while Termeh (Sarina Farhadi) chooses to remain with her father and grandfather. Needing to find daytime care for his demented father, Nader hires Razieh (Sareh Bayat), who desperately needs work and must bring her fouryear-old daughter with her each day. In addition, Razieh is five months pregnant, but her condition is not immediately noticed because of her enveloping black chador. A devout Muslim, Razieh finds herself with a religious conflict when her elderly patient soils himself and she must clean his body. Before she can help a disrobed man, she needs to call her imam for permission. Fatigued from her long daily commute, the demanding work, and the worry that her hot-headed husband will find out that she is working in another man’s house, Razieh seeks medical help. During her absence, Nader comes home to find his father unattended and in danger. When Nader confronts Razieh with her negligence, a ferocious altercation ensues and an accident occurs with ramifications that grow and intensify. Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini), Razieh’s husband, threatens to sue Nader while Nader counters with a suit against Razieh. Anger is rampant as both men plead their cases before a judge in a small, cramped courtroom where litigants argue their positions and no attorneys are present. The strength of “A Separation” lies in the small details of domestic life within the two households that unfold creating emotional patterns specific to Near Eastern culture but also universal to all societies. We see situations through the eyes of several characters but the film remains neutral in its story-telling. With the immediacy of a hand-held camera and the objectivity of writer/director Asghar Farhadi, “A Separation” presents us real characters, flawed but well-intentioned. The cast performs very much as an ensemble, with no character acting as star performer, allowing both our sympathy and disapproval to navigate from Nader to Simin to Razieh and even to Hodjat. But mostly we feel drawn to 11-year-old Termeh, who learns a truth about her father that could defeat him in the courtroom. When she is told that she must testify under oath, the moral dilemma Termeh faces registers clearly in her soft eyes and intelligent face. The Berlin Film Festival awarded its Best Actor and Actress prizes to the entire cast rather than honoring a single performer. “A Separation” is in Farsi with English subtitles. A Hit & A Miss: You Might Like It Two Hits: Don’t Miss It! Two Misses: Don’t Bother EVENTS WED., FEB. 29 •8am-2pm: Farmers Market Independence Park, 801 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton. 714-871-5304 •Noon-6pm: Science Symposium Titan Student Union, CSUF, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. A twoday free seminar features cell biologist Aravindhan Vivekandhan on research on altered immune responses from noon to 1pm. Mathemagician Arthur Benjamin, professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College demonstrates how to mentally add and multiply numbers faster than a calculator from 5pm to 6pm. •6pm-9pm: Gustavo’s Awesome Lecture Series Osborne Auditorium, Fullerton Public Library. Free •7:30pm: French Film Fest “Cliente/A French Gigolo” screened in French with English subtitles. Wilshire Auditorium, 315 E. Wilshire Ave., (at Lemon) Fullerton. $6.50 THURS., MARCH 1 •10am-6:30pm: NASA Astronaut at Science Symposium Titan Student Union, CSUF, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. 30 science and math undergrads and grad students present research posters from 10am to 1pm. NASA astronaut and CSUF alumna Tracy Caldwell Dyson speaks at a reception at 4pm. •7:30pm: French Film Fest “Roman de Gare” screened in French with English subtitles. Wilshire Auditorium, 315 E. Wilshire Ave., (at Lemon) Fullerton. $6.50 FRI., MARCH 2 •6pm-10pm: Art Walk 2nd Anniversary Celebration Downtown Museum Plaza on Wilshire & Pomona, downtown Fullerton. Admission is free. Live music, art, food, fun. SAT., MARCH 3 •7:30am - 11am: MOTAL 2nd Annual White Elephant Mega Sale. Clothing, antiques, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, toys, artwork, home goods. Morningside Presbyterian Church, 1201 Dorothy Lane (at Raymond), in Fullerton. Proceeds benefit programs of the Museum of Teaching & Learning. (Gently used items can be dropped off noon to 8pm on Fri., March 2 at the church. Call Mary with questions at 714-879-7267. •7:30am - 11am: Troop 97 Pancake Breakfast served up by Boy Scout Troop #97 at Morningside Presbyterian Church, 1201 Dorothy Lane (at Raymond), in Fullerton. (Coincides with the Mega Sale above.) •8:30am: Mayor Sharon QuirkSilva’s Walk & Talk meets at Lemon Park, 701 S. Lemon St. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your thoughts and concerns. SAT., MARCH 3 CONTINUED •7pm-12 midnight: Lemondrop Singles Dance with live 70s & 80s music by Paco & Laura at the Fullerton Elks Lodge Ballroom, 1400 Elks View Lane, Fullerton. Free Dance Lessons from 7pm to 8pm. No membership required. Bring friends - casual dressy. www.LemonDropClub.com $10 •8pm: Orange County Music Awards at the Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. SUN., MARCH 4 •2pm - Nuclear Power Initiative Statute explained by systems analyst Donna Gilmore who authors the San Onofre Safety blog at http:sanonofresafety.org. She is a founding member of San Clemente Green which is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about nuclear energy. She is the state coordinator for the Nuclear Initative which is in the signature gathering stage of qualifying for the ballot. The measure would close the San Onofre and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Stations until a permanent storage solution can be implemented to address the tons of “temporarily” stored radioactive waste at the two California nuclear power stations. Green Party meeting, Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine. Contact Bea at [email protected] if you can share a ride or need one. TUES., MARCH 6 •6:30pm: City Council Meeting 353 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. Litigation updates; OCWD North County Water Cleanup Project update; Malvern Ave. Storm Drain Repair; Library Grant; Verizon Cell Tower in Bastanchury Park; Legislative Platform; SOCO Parking Structure regulations; State College Blvd. & Raymond Ave. Grade Separation Acquisition; Fire Management and more. •7:30pm: French Film Fest “Un Baiser, S’il Vous Plait/ Shall We Kiss” screened in French with English subtitles. Wilshire Auditorium, 315 E. Wilshire Ave., (at Lemon) Fullerton. $6.50 WED., MARCH 7 •8am-2pm: Farmers Market Independence Park, 801 W. Valencia Dr., Fullerton. 714-871-5304 •6pm: Independent Film “Karen Cries on the Bus” at the Fullerton Public Library Osborne Auditorium. Spanish w/English subtitles. Karen has left her slimy but successful husband after 10 years of marriage and takes her first steps towards independence and self discovery. 714-738-3361. Free THURS., MARCH 8 •7:30pm: Puente Hill Wilderness Jackie Duvall, a former naturalist with the Puente Hills Landfill Native EARLY MARCH 2012 Habitat Preservation Authority, will inform about the 3,869 acre preserve north of La Habra and Whittier. Rio Hondo Sierra Club meeting at Popular Community Bank in north Fullerton on the southwest corner of Rosecrans and Euclid (near CVS). FRI.-SUN, MARCH 9, 10 & 11 •10am-4pm: Friends of the Library Used Book Sale Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. 714-738-6326 SAT., MARCH 10 •9am: Gymkhana Show presented by Fullerton Recreational Riders at the Fullerton Recreational Arena (corner of Euclid and Lakeview) 2900 Lakeview Way in north Fullerton. These fun events showcasing locals and their horses in competition take place on the second Saturday of every month through September. Visit the FRR website at www.fullertonrecriders.com. Free. •10am: Mexican American History in California discussed by a panel including Superior Court Judge Frederick Aquire; Chapman U professor Christina Luna; Chapman Ed Director Dr. Mike Madrid. Sponsored by MOTAL at the Old OC Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana. “Mendez et. al. v. Westminster et. al.” exhibit also. 714814-4221 or www.motal.org for more info. Free. SUN., MARCH 11 •1pm-3pm: Fukushima Daiichi Disaster Aniversary and Protest of San Onofre Nuclear Plant near south gate on Basilone Rd. off I-5. For Bus information email [email protected]. Other info call 619-820-5321 or email [email protected]. Sponsored by Citizens Oversight, San Clemente Green, ROSE and San Diego Peace Resource Center. •5pm: 47th Annual Farmworker Dinner features Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez who now works with the US Dept. of Agriculture on farmworker outreach. There will also be a silent auction. UFCW Union Hall, 8530 Stanton Ave, Buena Park. The dinner is $20. Reserve your ticket by calling Nadene Ivens at 714-526-7422. Call Tina Laine at 714-565-7855 if you have auction items to donate. TUES., MARCH 13 •7pm: “Town & Gown” Lecture “Mammoth Mountain’s Shaky Past.” Fullerton Public Library Osborne Auditorium, 353 W. Commonwealth. Free. 714-738-6326 •7pm: Neighborhood Watch Meeting Fullerton Police Dept. Mural Room, 237 W. Commonwealth. Public Invited. 714-738-6836 FRI-SUN., MARCH 16-18 •9am-4pm: Monster Tomato & Pepper Sale Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Rd., at CSUF (657)278-4010 SUN., MARCH 18 •6pm-9pm: FIES Fundraiser local amateur chefs cook up prizewinning recipes. Coyote Hills Golf Course, 1440 E. Bastanchury Rd., Fullerton. Proceeds support programs for local homeless families. 714-680-3691 TUES., MARCH 20 •6:30pm: City Council Meeting 353 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. Litigation updates; 2nd Office of Independent Review Report by Gennaco; Permission to circulate notices for Water Rate increase; Commonwealth reconstruction Brookhurst to Basque; MADD presentation; T&CC recommendations. EARLY MARCH UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 15 Happenings at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center 1201 W. Malvern, Fullerton Tickets: 866-411-1212 or email [email protected] SCREENINGS AROUND TOWN French Film Fest at Wilshire Auditorium Fullerton College, in collaboration with the French American Cultural Exchange Council (F.A.C.E.), is pleased to announce a unique cultural event, the screening of new French films in February and March. Admission is $6.50 and tickets will be available at the door or purchase in advance from the Campus Box Office by calling (714) 992-7150. All films are in French with English subtitles and will be screened at the Wilshire Auditorium on Lemon in Fullerton at 7:30pm on the following dates: Navajo Storytelling by Geri Keams PHOTO BY The Music of Jessica Fichot Thursday, March 8, 7:30pm Thurs., March 29, 7:30pm Navajo (Dineh) Storyteller Geri Keams was born and raised in the Painted Desert of Arizona. She grew up on the reservation with nine brothers and sisters all listening to their grandmother, a rug weaver and storyteller. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Drama and Film, she is best remembered for her roles in Clint Eastwood’s “The Outlaw Josey Wales” as Moonlight; “The Car” with James Brolin; “Walks Far Woman” with Raquel Welch; and in the television series Northern Exposure where she played Ed’s aunt. Her children’s show has been featured at The Kennedy Center and The Smithsonian Institute and many schools, libraries, churches, and museums across the country. Keams has also written two children’s books, “Grandmother Spider Brings The Sun” and “Snail Girl Brings Water” $5/member; $10/general; Kids are Free! Drawing from her multi-ethnic French, Chinese, and American upbringing, Jessica Fichot’s music fuses styles and languages, taking the listener on a twisting journey of multilingual vocals, backed by an amazing quartet of clarinet, sax, flute, upright bass, guitar, and drums. $10/member; $16/students and seniors; $20/general Poet Michael Miller Moon Tide Book Launch Thursday . March 22 . 7:30pm For the past four years, Orange County’s own Moon Tide Press has brought renowned poets from around Southern California to the Muckenthaler. Publisher Michael Miller, an acclaimed poet and a former judge for the San Diego Book Awards and Poetry Out Loud, hosts an exclusive book launch. Free “Chinigchimish” An Early Pre-Contact Religion of the Los Angeles Basin." with Guest Speaker, MR. JUSTIN FARMER EE FR Dieguenino Indian March 16, 7:00 p.m. Native American Institute 1465 N. Bativia St., Orange 714-879-1337 or [email protected] Visit Our Website at ChristianScience Fullerton.org ANDY SHENG How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love it! by author Dr. Christine Wood Thursday, March 22 at 8:45 am LAGUNA ROAD ELEMENTARY 300 Laguna Road, Fullerton Dr. Wood will share insights on how parents can help to promote healthy eating habits that children love. $5 (includes a light breakfast) All proceeds benefit the Laguna Road School Chorus Foundation [email protected] or 714-262-8895 •Wed., Feb. 29: Cliente / French Gigolo •Thurs., March 1: Roman de Gare •Tues. March 6: Un Baiser, S’il Vous plaÎt Shall We Kiss? http://foreign.fullcoll.edu or (714) 992-7349. Thursday Matinees at the Library The Free Thursday Matinee Series is held at 1pm in the Osborne Auditorium of the Fullerton Main Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave. March 1: “The Quiet Man,” John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara March 8: “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” March 15: “Going My Way” Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald March 22: “My Left Foot” March 29: “Michael Collins” Call the Fullerton Main Library at (714) 738-6326 with any questions. Brazilian Films at CSUF Free screenings of Brazilian films with discussions following take place at the Education Classroom Building, Room 167, CSUF, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. Screening is free but parking is $2 per hour. •Feb. 27, 5pm; “Besouro,” a film based on a 1924 murder, follows the lives of Capoeira fighters. Philippe Zaccaîr leads discussion. •March 5, 5pm: “Central Station,” a Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Language Film, is about a boy’s search for his father and an old woman’s emotional reawakening. Paulo Simoes leads the discussion. REST IN PEACE • WE REMEMBER YOU Page 16 FULLERTON OBSERVER 2012 Tribute to Leilani Smith Hall of Famer Gary Carter Passes On Gary Carter lost his 10month battle with brain cancer on Thurs., Feb. 16. He was 57 years old. “The Kid,” as he was called, was an 11-time All Star for the New York Mets and Montreal Expos. He was raised in Fullerton and attended local schools including Sunny Hills High. Gary had over 100 college scholarship offers and was set to attend UCLA until the Expos signed him in 1972 and he began his professional baseball career. He was traded to the New York Mets in 1985 and played in the 1986 World Series compiling 8 hits, 2 home runs (both in game #4), with a batting average of 276 as the Mets defeated the Red Sox in 7 games. He retired in 1992 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 as an Expo. In 2008 Gary returned to Fullerton and spent the summer as manager of the Orange EARLY MARCH PHOTO © BRYAN CROWE BRYANCROWEPHOTO.COM County Flyers who won their only Golden Baseball League championship with Carter in the dugout. Gary was laid to rest in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where he had settled during his Expos years. He is survived by Sandy, his wife of 37 years; daughters Christy Kearce and Kimmy Bloemers; son D.J.; and three grandchildren. The Fullerton Senior Club has lost long-time member, sweet Leilani Smith, who passed away on February 2. Feeling a strong need to give back to her community, Leilani joined the club in 1989. She was a volunteer receptionist for the Income Tax Assistance Program (sponsored by AARP) and also registered and guided seniors at the Senior Center’s Health Fairs and Flu Clinics. Leilani was always willing to help in any way she could. With her extensive background as a talented entertainer, Leilani loved dancing, singing and playing her ukulele for many center events. Leilani (who always had a sparkle in her eyes and a plumeria in her hair) was also the magnetic, personable M.C. for the center’s popular Hawaiian Luaus in August and at Christmas time. We cherish the happy ¤ memories we have of her (especially her happy, friendly, smile). A memorial service will be held, Friday, March 9, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton. FULLERTON’S CONGREGATIONS WELCOME YOU CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW CLASS Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. March 20 - June 26 $50 - Class Fee plus Textbook (reading knowledge of Hebrew necessary) Call (714) 871-3535 to register John Johnston Orangethorpe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Dr. Robert L. Case, Pastor Sunday Service: 10:00 a.m. 2200 W. ORANGETHORPE FULLERTON (714) 871-3400 Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fullerton www.orangethorpe.org EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1600 N. Acacia Ave. 1145 W. Valencia Mesa, Fullerton (714) 879-8070 www.emmanuelfullerton.org SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:15 am and 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School at 10am “Walking in Love, as Christ loved us” CHILDCARE Welcome 10:15am • Service: 10:30am (infant & toddlers) & Programs for Pre-K thru Teen SUN., MARCH 4: Justice General Assembly - Michael Sallwasser SUN., MARCH 11: Do We Have Time? - Rev. Jon Dobrer SUN., MARCH 18: On Tolerance - Rev. Jon Dobrer SUN., MARCH 25: Living Our Values - Rev. Jon Dobrer Rev. Jon Dobrer www.uufullerton.org 714-871-7150 It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that the Senior Club announces that our former threetime Past President and dear friend, John Johnston, passed away at home in Fullerton on February 17. John totally dedicated and committed himself to the betterment of the club when he joined in 1992. His keen intelligence, caring concern and loyalty, innovative and costeffective ideas and accomplished goals gave the club a great city reputation. John was respectfully recognized in 2008 with a well-deserved prestigious Senior Club Lifetime Membership Award. We will always remember John as “a true gentleman” and we were all privileged to have known him. You meet a kind, humble, honorable, gentle man like John once in a lifetime. John is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth, daughter, Patti, sons, Robert and Mark, and granddaughters, Megan and Melinda. The family is planning a celebration-of-life service in the near future. EARLY MARCH 2012 REST IN PEACE • WE REMEMBER YOU FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 17 William Edward (Bill) Lenahan M.D. GET ON THE BUS Benefit Dinner & Concert 4pm Sunday, March 4 ST. JULIANA CATHOLIC CHURCH 1316 N. ACACIA, FULLERTON •Delicious Dinner prepared by Chef Jon Sanders •Jazz Concert by Ron Kobayashi & Friends •Social Hour and Silent Auction Approximately 200,000 children have a parent in state prison. Proceeds from this event provide funds to children, requesting, but unable to afford transportation to visit their parents. The Get On The Bus program provides free bus rides to and from prisons. Last year the program provided transportation to 1,500 children around the time of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Reservations: Contact Barbara Johnson at 714-529-5166 or Barbara Dietterle at 714-525-2208 • $40 Donation Requested Sponsored by St. Juliana Catholic Church & the Congregational Church of Fullerton Dr. Bill Lenahan, 86, of Fullerton, California, was born on March 24, 1925, in Bloomington, Illinois, the elder son of William and Estelle. He died peacefully February 20, 2012, at home, surrounded by his loving family. His passing leaves a legacy of community service. Bill was Valedictorian of his high school class and was accepted to Santa Clara University. Due to the war, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Trained as a B-24 bombardier/navigator, he saw the war end as a Second Lieutenant. Utilizing the GI Bill, he was accepted to Marquette University and graduated from Marquette School of Medicine in 1951. Bill and Pat Mallory were married in 1949, and moved to Los Angeles, where residency at Queen of Angels Hospital was completed. Settling in Fullerton in 1954, Dr. Lenahan provided over 44 years of family practice associated with St. Jude Hospital. He retired at age 71, but kept his license to practice medicine current until his passing, frequently serving the medical needs of his large extended family. Dr Lenahan was a champion of the poor, and as a member of Mission Doctor’s Association and Amigos de las Americas, he travelled to Africa, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala, providing medical services, ranging from obstetrics, surgery, and even on one occasion, veterinary breach delivery of a bovine! A true Renaissance Man, Bill played guitar, piano, banjo, windsurfed and snow-skied into his seventies, and golfed and waterskied in his eighties. Always positive, he approached life with a sense of humor and wonder. A devoted family man, he is survived by his beloved wife Pat of 62 years, his six children; Marypat McDermand Hackett of San Diego, Tim Lenahan of Park City, UT, Pat Lenahan of Santa Ana, Sheila Masters of La Canada, Peg Wallin of Newport Beach, Katie Zabrowski of Granite Bay, CA, sixteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and his brother, Joseph Lenahan of Fullerton. He was actively involved in the lives of his entire family and was known for his daily phone calls, insightful advice, compassionate heart, and warm sense of humor. Included among his many accomplishments are: President Fullerton Rotary Club; Co-founder Fullerton South Rotary Club; President Mission Doctors Association of Los Angeles; volunteer physician in Central America with Amigos de Las Americas; volunteer physician in Africa and the Caribbean with Catholic Mission Doctors; coach of Sunny Hills Little League, Pop Warner football and Pony League. Dr. Lenahan was a Board Member of the following organizations: Y.M.C.A. North Orange County; St. Jude Hospital; Amigos de Las Americas; National Catholic Physicians Guild; California State University Presidents Associates. Dr. Lenahan’s honors include 1974 Fullerton Man of the Year; 1993 St. Jude, “Values in Action”; 1993 St. Joseph Health System “Values in Action”; 1993 North Orange County YMCA Humanitarian of the Year; 2011 St. Jude Medical Center President’s Commendation for “Nearly 50 years of support and Dedication.” A funeral Mass was held Saturday 11am at St. Juliana Catholic Church, 1316 N. Acacia Avenue in Fullerton. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his honor may be made to St. Jude Hospital Care for the Poor and sent to St. Jude Medical Center, 1440 N. Harbor Blvd, Suite 200, Fullerton, CA 92835. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary assisted the family. CSUF Business Students Offer Tax Assistance Cal State Fullerton students are offering income tax return preparation and filing assistance to low-income families and individuals. More than 100 students and alumni — all certified — take part in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, an IRSsponsored community program. The program is offered at Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton at 10am to 2pm Saturdays from through April 7 in Langsdorf Hall, Room 403A on campus. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and clients can arrive at VITA sites no later than one hour before closing time. For more info contact the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center at 657278-8681 or e-mail: [email protected] FULLERTON’S CONGREGATIONS WELCOME YOU SAINT ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1231 E. CHAPMAN AVE., FULLERTON • 714-870-4350 • www.saintandrewsfullerton.org Come join our inclusive, lively church family! WEEKLY SERVICES Events YOGA: Every Thursday at 8:30am w/ Jessica Lowerre 200 RYT will instruct the hour-long Beginner/Level 1 class including meditation, breathing techniques, and physical practice (suggested $7 donation) March 25: 4:30pm, Barbershop Quartet Sunday...........8am & 10am.* HOLY EUCHARIST *Nursery & Church School Monday..........6:30pm SUNG COMPLINE Tuesday..........7pm EVENING PRAYER Wednesday.. ..6:30am HOLY EUCHARIST Thursday........10am HOLY EUCHARIST & HEALING Page 18 FULLERTON OBSERVER MO KELLY ’S SENIOR SPOTLIGHT LOCAL NEWS EARLY MARCH 2012 Valentine’s Day Friends & Flames Celebration What a “love”-ly 14th of February it was in the “heart” of the city of Fullerton. There were bright “red” decorations everywhere you looked at the “sweet” social held at the Senior Center’s temporary location at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Enjoyable entertainment started at 10:00 a.m. with “romantic” dance music performed by Global Affair (“sweetheart” singers, Tom & Kris). “Candy kisses” and “caring hugs” were added “sentimental treats.” Above: The “Belle of the Ball,” Ms. Roberta Reid (she made her very creative, elaborate Valentine hat and brought her little friend, Samantha, to the party. Above: Dining Room Site Manager, Cocoa Barragan & her daughter “H.B.” Seated: Earlyn Matthews; Isabel Guerrero; and Vivian Carroll Below: Ron & Loretta Larson, Carmen Carrasco, Vernie Aiello, and Dutch Hertogh. and seated Bill and Lorraine Miller. AARP Driver Safety Program Offered OC Health Care Offers Free Health Care Screenings Adults 50 and older can brush up on their driving skills at a two-day, eight hour course designed to teach important defensive driving techniques and skills. The next session is from 12:30 to 4:30pm Wed. and Thurs., March 14 and 15. Completion of the course entitles the student to a certificate of completion good for insurance discounts. Fee for the class is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Call 714-738-6305 or come to Room 8B at the center at St. Mary’s Church, 400 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton. Registered nurse Lori Funke of the OC Health Care Agency offers free screenings from 9am to 2pm on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Senior Center’s temporary headquarters at St. Marys. The screenings include blood pressure, pulse, hearing, vision, hemoccult, hemoglobin, blood sugar, urine, height & weight, oral/dental and skin. Individualized health care plans are also offered. Appointments are required. Call 714738-6305 or come to Room 8B at the center at St. Mary’s Church, 400 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton. Elks Special Child of the Month story & photos by Nyada Cline The Fullerton Elks Lodge members were thoroughly entertained by this month’s Special Child, Zachary Cannon. You will find he is a happy child and a real charmer. Zachary visited the Lodge with his mother Tricia Cannon, grandmother, great grandparents, an aunt and uncle, and family friends. He wanted to meet everyone and gave each a hug. Then he asked for the microphone and said in a big voice, “I love you.” Curious about the musical instrument he then jumped up on the organist’s lap to get a closer look. Zachary Cannon was born June 12th, 2006, and life dealt this baby a very difficult hand. He was born with a cleft palate, but more seriously, a severe heart condition. At 9 days of age a surgeon had to rebuild his heart. After the successful surgery, the heart surgeon stated that the challenges he faced during the surgery were some of the most unusual and difficult he had ever encountered. Zachary has some continuing health issues and additional surgeries will be needed in the future when he is older to help with a serious malocclusion that makes it difficult for him to eat. His immune system, compromised since birth, is improving and he is just Zachery and his family now getting to the point where he can play with other gathered with Elk members. children. In addition, he is diagnosed as high functioning autistic. He began talking at about 4 years of age and he speaks well now. Yet with all these health and developmental problems, Zachary is happy and loves to be hugged. He loves music and has a high energy level. He is a whiz at playing games on his mother’s telephone. His mother, Tricia Cannon, home schools Zachary and even with all of his issues, he is now learning to read and count. The Fullerton Elks treated the family to dinner and then presented Zachary with an Android Super pad to help with schoolwork and so he can play games and puzzles. In addition, he received some Disney Pixar 2 cars and a launch pad racetrack. The Elks presented Tricia with a dozen roses, a plaque, and a Special Child Pin. A commemorative group photograph was taken. The Elks Lodge members really enjoyed meeting Zachary. For more information on the Elks Special Child Program call Nyada Cline, or Irene Imhof Co-Chairpersons at (714) 870-1933. EARLY MARCH 2012 FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 19 LOCAL ONLY CLASSIFIEDS REPAIR/REMODEL Call 714-525-6402 The Fullerton Observer provides space for NEIGHBORS to advertise. To participate you must have a local phone number and be offering an item for sale, garage sales, reunions, home-based businesses or services, place to rent or buy, or help wanted, etc. Contractors must provide valid license. Editor reserves ROOMS FOR RENT right to reject any ad. Sorry, we do not accept date ads, get rich schemes or financial ads of any sort. Call 714-525-6402 for details. $10 for 50 words or less per issue. Payment is by checks only. Items to give away for free and lost and found item listings are printed for free The Observer assumes no as space allows. CLASSES & TUTORING FURNISHED ROOM W/BATH Furnished 10’x20’ room w/private bath in Fullerton (Orangethrope/Brookhurst) $600/month with $150 deposit. No Smoking/Alcohol/Illegal Drugs/Pets. Includes utilities, satellite TV, internet, and kitchen/laundry privileges. (714) 272-3270 APARTMENT FOR RENT GREAT SUNNY HILLS APT 2 bedroom, 2 bath, single-story garden-style apt, approx 950 square feet, great Sunny Hills neighborhood in between St. Jude Hospital and the Bike Loop trail amongst million dollar ranchstyle homes. Apt comes with new carpet, window a.c. unit, ceiling fans, front patio, shared garage with automatic door opener, pool & laundry. $1,475 per month, available for immediate move-in. Please call (714) 738-7077 or www.ValMesaApts.com WANTED USED BAND INSTRUMENTS DO YOU HAVE A USED BAND INSTRUMENT?? Ladera Vista student is collecting them for community charity project. We will pick up, any condition. In association with the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. Please call and leave a message for Zachary with your phone number at (714)447-3557. liability for ads placed here. However, if you have a complaint or compliment about a service, please let us know at 714-525-6402. Call City Hall at 714-738-6531 to inquire about City of Fullerton business licenses. For contractor license verification go to www.cslb.ca.gov. Thank You! PIANO LESSONS Piano Lessons: Classical, Jazz and Pop. Masters of Music; Paris Conservatory and Indiana University Graduate. Telephone 714-566-4607 or visit website www.hoangnguyen.net. RV PARKING SPACE SOUGHT TWO ROOMS NEAR CSUF Two bedrooms on 2nd story of private home available ($495 and $450). Both can be rented by one person at $925. Females preferred. Separate entry, full bath, kitchenette, cable, wireless internet included. Some off street parking is available. Pleasant, quiet Fullerton neighborhood two miles from CSUF, major shopping and freeway. Call 714-496-7692. RV PARKING SPACE NEEDED Local employee will pay $60 per month for off-street parking for small (20-foot) empty RV, Thursday thru Monday near Fullerton College/Amtrak station. Call (714) 992-7313. HELP WANTED CITY EMPLOYMENT Applications are available by visiting city hall or online at www.cityoffullerton.com. Public Information Coordinator: Sylvia Palmer Mudrick is retiring from her longtime position as PIO for the city. She has done an excellent job and will be missed. She is filling in on a temporary basis until a replacement can be found. If you are interested contact the city at 714-738-6361 for an application and job description or go online www.cityoffullerton.com. can be sent to Email [email protected], with questions directed to Personnel Services Manager Laura Giannetti-Mercer. Applications are due by 5pm March 23, 2012. Salary & benefits $70,526-$90,011. Community Services Specialist: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, are kept on file for three months, and reviewed when there is a need during that time. The job pays from $10 to $11 per hour. Community Services Instructor: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, are kept on file for three months, and reviewed when there is a need during that time. The job pays from $9to $9.25 per hour. Balance & Change by Michelle Gottlieb PROCRASTINATION Do you ever procrastinate? You know that you have things to do, and you will do them, you will! But not right now. You promise yourself that you will do it right after this show, or phone call, or after your nap, or definitely tomorrow! Does this sound familiar? We all procrastinate at times. This is a normal human response. However, sometimes procrastination can get us in trouble, for instance when you have a project due at work or bills need to be paid or there is a doctor’s appointment that you need to make. We have a million reasons to procrastinate, but it can usually come down to three main reasons: we are avoiding something, we are not sure how to do it or we are lazy! If the reason that you have not accom- LICENSED HANDYMAN WINDOWS WINDOW WASHING All windows in your residence washed without streaks inside and out. All sills and tracks vacuumed and cleaned. Screens hand-washed. I use drop cloths and shoe covers to keep your house clean. References available upon request. Fullerton City License #554171. Call Patrick (714) 3982692 for a Free Estimate. BEAUTY & HEALTH AMWAY, ARTISTRY, NUTRILITE To buy Amway, Artistry, or Nutrilite products please call Jean 714-526-2460 FDA.gov Nationwide Recalls by Himalaya •Organique Nourishing Night Cream for All Skin Types: 3877 bottles have been recalled due to bacteria staphylococcus aureus and fungus present in samples traced to the bottle’s pump components. •Female One Series Vagifresh Moisturizing Gel: product contains Benzocaine, and active ingredient for many anesthetic drug products and microbial contamination that may be a health risk. Relief Pain •Arthritis Acetaminophen caplets under the names: Assured; Consumer’s Choice; Preferred Plus; Quality Choice; Select Brand; Premier Value. over one million bottles recalled because incorrect dosage info. The labeling reads “take 2 caplets every 8 hours with water.” This labeling exceeds the allowable monograph quantity of acetaminophen in an 8-hour period. •OFIRMEV (acetaminophen) injection: 33,336 vials recalled due to unidentified particulate matter. •Jones’ Seasoning: Original and Spicy Southwest Blend Mock Salt has been recalled due plished whatever is on your list is because to Salmonella contaminated celyou are avoiding, ask yourself what you are ery seed. Products purchased avoiding. What is scaring you? What kind between July to Dec. 2011 of support do you need in order to get your should be destroyed. task accomplished? Once you figure that •Bio Gaudiano Brand out, set up what you need and get it done. Olives with Almonds: Stuffed If you are unsure how to accomplish your product of Italy recalled due to task, ask questions, do some research, almonds linked to illnesses of again, ask for help and get it done. If you Clostridium botulinum. are just being lazy, honor the fact that you •Orange Juice Products: The are tired, that you want a break. Make sure FDA is investigating reports that that you arrange some time off after you carbendazim, a fungicide, is finish this project, then get it done! levels in some at low present The bottom-line is that sometimes we orange juice products. These just have to move whether we want to or a blend of domestic are products not. Nurture yourself though it. Get your orange juice and imported project done. Celebrate that you have finorange juice from Brazil. ished. Then go back to the show or the nap Although the substance is not and enjoy it without guilt! allowed, at this time the EPA Michelle Gottlieb, Psy.D., MFT and FDA do not believe that the 305 N. Harbor Blvd, Suite 202 low levels of the fungicide pose a health risk however sampling of Fullerton, CA 92832 all imports is ongoing and ship714-879-5868 x5 ments testing at 10ppb or more www.michellegottlieb.com wil be rejected. Residential Roofing Specialist New, Repairs, Patios, Gutters, Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall, Paint, Doors, Windows, Gates, Fences. CSLB #744432 Bonded, Insured. Free Estimates call 714-738-8189 CONSTRUCTION James K. Higgins Construction. Quality since 1981. Remodeling, patio covers, doors and windows. Fences through finish carpentry. Free estimates, local references available. Please call 714491-9503. California State Contractors Licence #B 405546 GOT REPAIRS? We do it all - Handyman services, kitchen/bath remodel, carpentry, interior & exterior jobs, drywall, painting, plumbing, vinyl, ceramic & wood laminate flooring, formica installation, wallpaper removal, windows, fencing and more. Very dependable! 20 years experience! “Werner General Repairs & Remodeling” Thomas Werner 714-812-6603. 1519 E. Chapman Ave. #175, Fullerton 92831. Insured. City License #127977 LOCAL ELECTRICIAN Skilled electrician and Fullerton native for 40 years. Service truck ready, inspection corrections, wiring, lighting & renovations. Heating & A/C repair, minor plumbing, and other handyman services. Owner-operated within the unlicensed minor work exception set by the Contractors State License Board. City License #5563007. Call Roger (714) 803-2849 www.NoFixNoPay.info CAREER ENERGIZE YOUR WORK LIFE Coach and Career Certified Professional Resume Writer will assist you in refocusing your employment/career goals with a full spectrum of services, including dynamic resume, refreshed interviewing techniques, sharpened negotiating skills, and more. Call Career Possibilities @ 714.990.6014 or send email to [email protected]. PRODUCERS SOUGHT The Muckenthaler Cultural Center is seeking experienced community producers to create events at the center in 1213. Proposals must be postmarked before July 6, 2012 and sent to the Muckenthaler. Call 714-738-6595 for applications and details. Contact Zoot Velasco at [email protected] with questions. FREE SERVICES FREE HELP LINE FOR VETERANS Call 1-888-823-7458, 8am-8pm, MonFri. or go to http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/ or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800273-8255 (press 1 for veterans) to receive free support and information on assistance available to veterans. The Fine Art of Not Being Offended. In order to truly be a master of this art, one must be able to see that every statement, action and reaction of another human being is the sum result of their total life experience to date. In other words, the majority of people in our world say and do what they do from their own set of fears, conclusions, defenses and attempts to survive. Most of it, even when aimed directly at us, has nothing to do with us. Usually, it has more to do with all the other times, and in particular the first few times, that this person experienced a similar situation, usually when they were young. The Art of Not Being Offended by Dr. Jodi Prinzivalli Page 20 FULLERTON OBSERVER Monkeying Around by Diane Nielen © 2012 Did I hear correctly? You never got around to making a New Year’s resolution? Well, better late than never. Allow me to propose one: “Before 2012 is history I will treat myself to a visit to the Santa Ana Zoo.” You won’t regret it. I promise. Earlier this year I made the pilgrimage – my first time there in literally decades. And from the moment my friend and I pulled into the parking lot until we departed hours later I never stopped smiling. Even the view of the front of the zoo was dazzling. Yards and yards of the fencing is blanketed with a vividly intense orange vine. Called Golden Shower or the Orange Flame Vine, it blooms its heart out during the winter. That gives you nearly one more month to relish the display. In truth, it is the maturation of all the zoo’s landscaping into lush foliage that is one of the biggest surprises and changes in this facility since I last saw it. It is warmly inviting. When you pay your modest admission at the entrance be sure to pick up the one page guide “While visiting the Santa Ana Zoo.” It will be invaluable in helping you make your way around the 20plus acre grounds and you won’t accidentally miss something. Soon off to your right in the Exploration Outpost you’ll find a maze constructed of vinyl panels. Wend your way in as you search for the “jaguar.” No, not a real one. Still there’s lots of info and sounds to hold your interest and accompany your meandering. But all the other animals are very alive. It will soon become clear to you that this zoo is dominated by monkeys. In 1952 when Joseph Prentice generously donated the original twelve acres of property to the City of Santa Ana to create the animal park he made one most unusual stipulation – that the zoo have in residence 50 monkeys at all times! As you proceed on the pathways you might want to keep count for yourself. Even the monkeys’ names are exotic. Aren’t you curious to meet the white-faced There is more saki? Or the colubus? than one variety of spider monkeys, capuchins and tamarins. My favorite among these agile mammals was the white-handed gibbon. He was a real swinger. And I daresay that the emperor tamarin would win the Moustache Award. There were several kinds of lemurs which are relatives of monkeys but generally regarded as a separate category. We got some unexpected entertainment when a black-and-white ruffled lemur got in a loud verbal squabble with another cage mate. Absolutely enchanting is the pygmy marmoset, the smallest monkey in the world. Each newborn is just the size of one of our thumbs. When he is fully grown he weighs a mere six ounces! You may have heard that on January 31st there was a welcomed new arrival at the zoo. A baby monkey was born to a pair of silvery langurs. This is the second offspring for the parents, Daria and Oliver. Although the adults are dark grayish the newborns have bright orange fur at birth. Over the first three to five months their coloring transitions to that of their parents. Don’t miss visiting this family on Primate Row. There are at least 80 kinds of creatures residing in the SaZoo (the place’s nickname). These include the rock hydrox, a pair of dromedaries (one expectant!), the Above: The new silvery langur arrival. At Left: The Binturong two-toed sloth, the Indian-crested porcupine and the oscellated turkey. Look for the margay, a spotted cat found in South and Central America. And earning the Spectacular prize are surely the two giant anteaters. They are each seven feet long and boast two-foot tongues! Have you ever heard of the binturong, also called an Asian bearcat? He is in a class by himself. One of the features of the zoo that makes it such an enriching place to tour is the signage in front of each animal enclosure. Let me share with you most of what was offered on this exotic creature: “This unique and unusual mammal sleeps in the treetops waiting for night to fall. The binturong’s dark fur provides perfect camouflage – it is seldom seen in the dense forests at night. These solitary animals search for fruits, rodents and carrion using their sense of smell and their prehensile tail to help balance on the branches . . . Binturongs live in the high forests of the central Himalayas, rainforests of Southeast Asia and tropical lowlands of the Philippines.” Then the question is posed, “WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ME?” And it is answered with some fascinating facts: “The binturong is the only Old World mammal and one of only two carnivores worldwide with a prehensile tail . . . Binturongs have the distinctive smell of buttered popcorn to help mark their treetop territory. The binturong drags its tail to scent mark branches . . . The binturong, named for its close appearance to a bear and a cat, is actually a civet.” I’ll leave it to you to look up that reference. Here’s another neat option to enhance your visit: in the Gift Shop you can buy a card called a ZOOKEY for $5.00. At most of the cages there is a small machine with a slot where you insert your card. Put in one end to hear about the animal and conservation. Then insert the opposite end to listen to Jungle Jingles, songs about the creatures. In the Colors of The Amazon 9,000 square foot walk-through aviary you’ll see birds I wager you have never met before. Here are a few: troupia, white-bellied caique, grey-necked wood-rail, emerald toucanet and the sunbittern. Sit on hand- some half-logs and watch a waterfalldominated panorama to observe what birds will visit it next. We were favored with a trio of brilliant scarlet ibises, an almost unreal orange, high in the treetops. The theme of this attraction is How The Birds Make a Living. You’ll note their variety of nest architecture and life styles. There are a lot of features especially for children. They can have their pictures taken (by you) sitting on top of a giant frog, a huge tortoise, or an immense lizard. Not to worry – these are concrete replicas. A super playground is near the entrance as well as a gift shop full of temptations. Strollers, single or double, can be rented, as can red wagons. At the Train Depot you can take a trip that circumnavigates the Tierra de Las Pampas habitat EARLY MARCH 2012 where the rhea (an ostrich) and the guanaco (a camel relative) hang out. The train also skirts the Crean Family Farm area where the young ones can interact with barnyard animals. These train trips and also carrousel rides are offered between 11 and 2 on weekdays and 11 to 4 on weekends. This is a carrousel with a difference: instead of all the animals you are used to riding it features endangered species such as the giant panda, cheetah, lowland gorilla, eagle, zebra, Bengal tiger, sea otter, and panther. Children who ride this merry-go-round are given an educational collector’s card which describes an animal and explains why it is endangered. Also in the summer months there are camel rides available. And if any in your party are overcome with hunger pangs there’s the Knollwood Café concession. No excuse for leaving without all of your senses satisfied. If you’re a party animal you might be interested in the upcoming festivities on March 10th and 11th to celebrate HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAZOO!!! It’s their 60th year. Between 11:00 A.M and 2:00 P.M. each day there’ll be an all-zoo party featuring music, games and fun. It’s free with the price of regular admission. I recommend arriving at the zoo in the morning. You’re fresher and so are the animals, less likely to be napping. You’re both bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. And as it gets later in the afternoon the angle of the sun makes it harder to visually search the enclosures and pick out all the residents. I keenly hope I’ve motivated you to make this visit. Let me know how you liked it. If you have a young friend, do him or her a favor and extend the invitation to accompany you on the outing. If not, there’s always that other kid...the one inside each of us.