Bowling For Music

Did you know the bowl at Hillcrest Park was originally intended for live concerts? There have been many over the years; some in the ’70s became somewhat infamous. The concrete slab/stage is still there, but the old shade structure had to be demolished right before one of our early Days of Music because it had fallen into disrepair and become a potential hazard.

An effort may eventually be underway to replace it, making one more piece of the 2011 Hillcrest Park Master Plan a reality. Christopher “Bubba” Clerc has taken on the role of making music happen again in that very spot.

“After seeing the Park Plan document and reading about the City’s plan to bring live music concerts back to the Big Bowl, I decided to try to bring awareness and visibility to this plan. I have volunteered to attempt to host the Day of Music there,” said Bubba.

Bubba has been in talks already and is making some new City staff aware of the past use and potential resurgence. Every kid who grew up here likely has memories of sliding down those hills on cardboard, blocks of ice, big wheels, etc., and memories of concerts that filled the bowl to the brim with music lovers.

Fullerton Honors Banners

They have gotten worn and torn, and some have even blown away. We are not taking any new orders, but if you sponsored one, please take a look at it and determine if you want a new one printed and installed. This is the last time we can do this, and they only last a couple, maybe a few years, so contact me here. It was not possible to get ahold of all sponsors, so, again, last chance.

New In Town

Hmmm, we noticed a new Cantina Urbana Kalaveras sign on the former Slidebar location, drove around the back, and met Gustavo, who told us the place would soon be open. We never press someone who is opening a restaurant for a specific date, as most, if not all, have a soft opening so they can sort things out before opening the floodgates for the “Honeymoon” when many stop in out of pure curiosity.

Mike’s Firestone Pizza is popping up inside Ziing’s at 209 N Harbor, and from what we hear, it’s already a big hit. Mike is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 1am. The pizza dough is made on-site and ferments for 30 to 54 hours, and yes, they are cooked over stones that are heated by fire, hence the name. There are now many choices for Mexican food and pizza downtown, and with the different variations of each, all are more than welcome.

McClain’s Coffeehouse at 817 N Harbor has begun transforming into a Pho Restaurant. Good news: They will also have coffee, which is much needed at that end of downtown. Interior work has begun, and the exterior sign is already gone.

The Fox Block is said to be under construction, so the first step was to fence the area off so the parking structure work could begin.

Photo Quiz

Send an answer to Mike at AllMedia@sbcglobal.net

This time: This one is a mystery, and we are hoping one of you can solve it. There are two of these in Fullerton that we know of; the other is on Highland and Whiting. Hitching posts? Not likely. They are different from those we have seen downtown, so where and what is this?

Last time: This sandstone bench was built by the son of a doctor whose house was just south of here before City Hall was built. The photo shows it just after being moved back in 2014 because the 75-year-old cypress trees were crushing it.