Mike Ness DAY

For years, local music aficionados wondered if Mike Ness would stop by during our annual Day of Music and maybe even play a couple of tunes with his band, Social Distortion. Mike had been seen from time to time cruising in a classic car, windows down, with the sound of the engine his driving music. There were no recent sightings, so it did not seem like he visited his old haunts much anymore.

That all changed on Wednesday, April 3, when the City of Fullerton presented Mike with the Key to the City, an unlikely event that literally nobody could have imagined when Punk Rock was king in Fullerton. After introductions from Mayor Nick Dunlap and others who added a few more backstories, Mike took the mic.

“Let us not ask what the City can do for us, but what we can do for the City. That was not my mentality back then, but unintentionally, things happened, and I survived a lot of things, a lot of things. Forty years ago, they might have wanted to lock me up and throw AWAY the Key.”

Applause erupted from those who were there at the time, a time when Fullerton developed a vibrant music scene, with many bands and live music venues alive with the heartbeat of young musicians and rabid fans who did not realize that what they were doing was creating a legendary scene. Mike bowed his head and spoke the truth from the heart, as he has done in so many songs that resonate with young, old, and in-between to this day.

Mike Ness Day Fullerton Museum Center.

It was obvious that Mike was overwhelmed by the outpouring of hometown adulation, and he accepted the many accolades and well wishes with genuine humility. His wife, Christine, was overcome with emotion and held back tears as she accepted a bouquet of flowers from Councilmember Ahmad Zahra and thanked everyone responsible for making the event happen on Mike’s birthday, no less. She also made sure everyone knew how much fan support over the years has meant to the Ness family.

Judging from the size of the crowd that filled the plaza and beyond, the Punk OC exhibit at the Museum Center will debut with great success in April of next year. One can only imagine who will stop by to take in that one.

Update

Ostrich Egg Distillery

Often imitated, never duplicated, this update is about the new building rising to the sky on West Commonwealth, and no, it’s not made of eggs. We obtained a rendering, and here it is, looking like three buildings in one, with two floors and a rooftop where patrons can take in the sights and sounds of downtown. Once the rain gave them a break, the crew was able to grade the lot and pour the footings, so now the walls are going up quickly, and we can get a glimpse of the early stages of the structure that will house Downtown Fullerton’s first and only distillery. Well, who knows what may have taken place during Prohibition? We know there were a few speakeasies downtown, and there must have been some bathtub gin here and there. If you have a story, let us know. Of course, the name will be withheld upon request.

Fox Block Parking Lot Construction has Begun

The historic “Fox Block” in downtown Fullerton, which includes the Fox Theatre and Angelo’s and Vinci’s has started construction on the parking structure on the east side of North Harbor Blvd between Chapman Ave and Ellis Place, including the Pomona and Triangle parking lots.

Photo Quiz

Send answer to Mike at AllMedia@sbcglobal.net

Last time: The 1976 sculpture “Forty Years of Flight” by Aldo Casanova was commissioned as a Bicentennial project, and on November 15, 1978, it was installed between City Hall and our Main Library.

This time: Where is this and what is the significance of the photo?