Property of Fullerton Public Library, Local History Room Community and Fine Arts Calendars p. FULLERTON Fullerton Observer Fullerton’s Only Local Indeoendent NewsDaoenprinted on recycled paper) No.251 January 15,1996 PLEASE RETURN TO MAIN DESK . ~ FULLERTON PUBUC LIBRARY 353 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE. FULLERTON, CA 92632 JAN 1 0 1996 City Welcomes ’96 with ‘First Night’ Family Celebration music you could imagine: a rock band was Abernathy Trio Jazz Group, the Country tling each other Sumo style, and “Human By Ralph A. Kennedy holding forth in the First Christian Church Store Band - one could have spent the entire Bowling Ball”, where kids were strapped Fast becoming renown for its eclectic, Social Hall, while someone was leading a evening moving from one place to another, inside a padded spherical cage from whence family-oriented events, the City of Fullerton group in line dancing on the patio. observing and/or participating in apot-pourri they were bowled at a set of large wooden did its growing reputation no harm with a pins, drew lots of amused interest from chil­ First Night Fullerton 1996 replete with funful dren and adults alike. I was even invited to try activities for every member of its residents’ the bowling ball trick, but hastened to decline families. - 1 don’t remember my excuse. For some the opening “People’s Proces­ As we left the fun zone and headed back sion” through the Downtown was a high towards Harbor, we noted the kids on roller point, perhaps conveying a feeling of unity skates, others of all ages creating their chalk and togetherness that has been so lacking in masterpieces on the street, still more having recent years with the negativeness of recall their faces painted by a very painted clown- artist, and of course there was the usual petting zoo and jumping-bouncing tent. An interesting new touch on Harbor was a three-car open trolley pulled by a small half truck which, filled with screaming, tooting, clanging families, was making its rounds up and down Fullerton’s Main Street. We didn’t stay for the fireworks, but viewed & listened to them from the Observer offices, and they were a fitting climax to another spectacular First Night Celebration! Jackie & Gerry Brown of Fullerton sopping up some of that good swing music. Another tent was full of younger dancers, of dancing pleasures. twirling to 70s and 80s music with strobe Long lines at the Fullerton Museum Center Kids try hands at Sumo wrestling. lights flashing throughout. A little further we to view their new exhibit: “Touchable Sculp­ came upon a group of people watching an­ tures” and the exploits of “Dan the Yo-Yo campaigns and almost complete disappear­ other group of more adventuresome folks Man” were testimony that both were crowd ance of public civility. learning to folk dance. pleasers. Although venued in Plummer Auditorium, And the beat went on with the Harmonica “Sumo Wrestling” where kids are wrapped abit outside the center zone of other activities Fats & Bernie Pearl Blues Band, the into an inflated costume and then set to wres­ on Pomona and Wilshire, we found the slight extra walk well worth it to view and listen to the beautiful and exciting Mariachi Las Reyna de Los Angeles. We marveled at the talent and stage presences, both vocally and instrumentally, of that charming group of teenage, all women Mariachis! As we returned to the principal fun zone,- we came upon an abnormally tall, male A human bowling ball is about to clown on stilts with very small feet, frolick- Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles wowed Ist-Nighters in Plummer Auditorium score a strike on the 1st Night Alley. Chamber’s Financial Prospects Brighten Fiscal picture eased, Chamber schedules “Kickoff’ celebration for the public to help inaugurate “Second 100 Years” of the Chamber. By Jack Harloe the practice of monthly budgeting had not ber, but also a sense of new vigor, vitality and As a consequence of efforts made by its been followed, but now the Chamber would commitment to the Fullerton business com­ current president, Dr. Dick Jones, Fullerton be budgeting very conservatively and realis­ munity as well as the City as a whole. Children’s TV star Ellaraino made Chamber of Commerce officials report the tically for each of its June 30 to July 1 fiscal The Chamber looks forward to the event as storytelling a two-way experience. feared end-of-the-year “cash crunch” will years. an opportunity for local business people and ing about with a much smaller female clown not occur. “About $ 15,000” is the measure of Chamber officials have also announced a the public to meet and become better ac­ with very large feet. Everyone seemed to be the current response from past and present “grand kickoff celebration on January 24th in quainted with new Chamber leadership and enjoying their antics and repartee. loyal chamber supporters and firms in Fuller­ recognition of the Chamber’s “Second 100 also learn about the various programs and Proceeding south on Pomona, we began to ton. Years”. The Open House Reception will be activities that the Chamber sponsors. hear the soft, seductive sounds of a swing Jones expressed himself as gratified and held at the Chamber office, 219 E. Common­ Kathy Hammer, Fullerton Chamber board band - there it was in a tent in front of the assured the end of the year fiscal challenge wealth from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The general vice-president and chair of the “Second 100 Rutabegorz Restaurant - the Doctor’s Big will now be met. Chamber officials say that public as well as the Chamber members are Years” Committee”, stressed that the enthu­ Band playing to a large, very appreciative, a balloon payment on the principal and inter­ invited to attend and enjoy all the festivities siasm of the current president, Dr. Dick somewhat mature audience. est of a loan due in June, 1998 will be of the evening including a variety of refresh­ Jones, and that of Gail Dixon, Chamber Ex-, As we moved back up Pomona and then renegotiated. ments. ecutive Director, “have created an atmo­ west on Wilshire, we noticed people of all Chamber manager Gail Dixon told the The Chamber hopes to highlight not only sphere for positive change and growth for the ages enjoying almost every kind of dancing/ Observer that, under previous management, the beginning of a new century for the Cham­ Chamber of Commerce”. MORE INSIDE Fire Marshall Turning Back the Education Clock Won’t Cure Our Educational Ills Page 3 John Clark Re- Fullerton High’s Renaissance Program Wins School Its 5th Award Page 8 tires after 31 Former Fullerton Resident/Disneyland Legend Honored by Disney Page 14 ? * Valencia Park School Dedicates Tiled Planter to Their Retiring Mrs. ‘K’ Page 19 Years Page 20 .... * Bulk Rate Commentary Page 3 FULLERTON OBSERVER CAR-RT Sort Council Doings Page 4 POST OFFICE BOX 7051 U.S. Postage PAID School Subjects Page 5 FULLERTON, CA. 92634 Permit No. 1577 About Fullerton Page 6 Fullerton, Ca. Classifieds Page 15 Property of Fullerton Public Library, Local History Room * Page 2 FULLERTON OBSERVER NEWS January 15, 1996 n the stroke of midnight, the year of For centuries, the Gabrielino Indians had 1996 was welcomed to Fullerton an encampment that ran along the seasonal O with fireworks and Santa Ana T he Hast rBoulevardier creek where Bastanchury meets Malvern. winds. Not since the wind and rain that bid The neighborhood has changed since those farewell to Richard Nixon, or the winds of H y Chris 'Heard days: Howard Hughes decided to build his change that I fought casting my ballot on radar factory there. Norton Simon started election night 1994, have I felt meteorology with Val Vita and built an empire there. A wed to metaphysiology so intensely in Ful­ winds can be explained by meteorologists, Little Dipper; and since my childhood, I have real tornado ripped through the neighbor­ lerton. but the energy at Malvern and Bastanchury is been aware of forces of nature and the heav­ hood and a fellow named Lon Nol spent his Two living memories that bring warmth different. ens, and have had encounters that I have final years there. Aside from the radio waves and feeling of smallness in the universe are I was bom with a formation of moles on the difficulty discussing even with my friends. and tomato sauce scent, another man-made the Santa Ana winds and passing over the side of my head that mirrored the formation Questions I’ve pondered about Fullerton; "anomaly located there is one of the deepest railroad tracks on the east side of Hughes of stars in the sky at night that we call Ursa Why did Richard Nixon attend Fullerton water wells in the country. A few weeks ago, Fullerton on Malvern. The energy of the Minor - The Little Bear, or my choice, The High? Why did Leo Fender build electric water from this well was used to drown guitars in Fullerton? Why is Fullerton High flames caused by an airplane crash near this the only school in the USA to produce three intersection. major league, no-hitter pitchers - Mike War­ Allan White woke up at 6:35 a.m. on that ren, Steve Busby, and Walter Johnson? Why Monday morning. “I woke feeling drained. I did the Paramahansa Yogananda choose had no energy at all. I put on my glasses and Fullerton to locate a Self Realization Fellow­ chose a shirt for the day. I set it out on the bed ship Temple? ■ and walked to the closet for a pair of pants.