Joe Tatar Here is the promised follow-up from his family. As you read in our last issue, sadly Joe Tatar passed away on April 18. Here are their thoughts. Joe Tatar has […]
The Downtown Report: Early May Edition
Literally cheesy, in the best way
If you enjoy charcuterie, Let It Brie is a must-see. As the saying among cheese mongers goes, “The journey starts with the eyes.” We ordered the five-cheese board and signature panini, with […]
Business Expands onto Public Sidewalk: History and Update
Restoration of the public sidewalk on East Commonwealth Avenue at Harbor Blvd. might be decided in court. Acting Director of Community and Economic Development Greg Pfost, responding to a question from The […]
Downtown Fullerton Historic Walking Tours Resume After Two-Year Hiatus
“Education is part of our goals and tours are a great way to get people to hear more about Fullerton’s historic past,” said Ernie Kelsey, President of Fullerton Heritage, and Chair of […]
The Downtown Report: Mid-April Edition
Joe Tatar, Fullerton Icon The call came in the morning after Joe passed, a plea to make sure there was an appropriate tribute to a man who graced so many stages and […]
The Downtown Report: Early April Edition
Getting to know you This pre-printed, spiral bound phone directory was left behind when we purchased our mid-1960 era house in East Fullerton. Each one listed on the first page is included […]
The Downtown Report: Mid-December Edition
Playing The Detective: Searching for what became of old local taverns Reviewing a previously-discovered list (below) triggered an interesting series of new discoveries. If you read over this list, you may recognize […]
The Downtown Report: Early December Edition
A look back to a look forward Everyone here at The Observer hopes every one of you had a memorable reunion of sorts at Thanksgiving, and that you feel optimistic as we […]
The Downtown Report: Mid-November Edition
Central Business District (CBD) It’s hard to imagine all these years later being the new guy now, the too-young-to-know-anything guy in Downtown Fullerton in the 80s. I quickly learned from other business […]
Downtown Report: Early November Edition
Save the Ocean You may not have noticed storm drains around town, but anyone in Southern California knows just how much toxic waste we pour into our life-giving Pacific Ocean. In addition […]
Wednesday Farmers Market has a new vendor
Meet Mohammed Alkodmani of Nailed it Foods. He is a new vendor at Wednesday Certified Farmers Market. Mohammed says, “Our snack bites are delicious and nutritious. They will curb your sweet tooth […]
Sexual assault facts in Fullerton
Over 30 rapes have been reported in Fullerton since January 2021 according to police records. The most recent FBI records for our city show 80 reported rapes in 2019, 58 in 2020, […]
The Downtown Report: Mid September Edition
Updates Not only are the new staircases in, but the Santa Fe Café is looking cool in more ways than one with nice shade and greenery all around now. It’s interesting to […]
Downtown Report: Early September Issue
Roadkill Ranch Sorry to report that our friend Julie Rasmussen is closing her doors on a business that has become a fixture on a very diverse stretch of Commonwealth Avenue. Julie has […]
JP23 owner release of new surveillance video raises questions
https://fullertonobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ContinentalAlley.mp4 At approximately 2:56 am on August 2, 2021, a surveillance camera from Continental night club shows Velasquez and a man weaving from one side of the alley to the other before […]
Downtown safety of Fullerton discussed at City Council
Six public commenters at the recent August 17 City Council meeting said they wanted JP23 Urban Kitchen to be closed or investigated and several others voiced their support of making the safety […]
Have Blues, Will Travel: A Trip Worth Taking
Have Blues, Will Travel: Traveling Blues Musicians in the Jim Crow Era Fullerton Museum Center, July 24 – End of August, 2021 Tucked into the back of the Fullerton Museum’s Have Blues, Will […]
The Downtown Report: August Edition
SoCo Evolution Since 1946, the Ellingson family has operated a precision machine shop, and today they produce critically machined parts for the aerospace industry. Leo Fender set up his retail store on […]
Fullerton Celebrates Fourth of July with Downtown Bike Parade
Residents celebrated the Fourth of July with a massive bike parade that drew hundreds. The parade, organized by Tim and Nancy Johnson and friends, began at the old CVS parking lot at […]
The Downtown Report: July Edition
Busked Fortunately, that’s busked, not busted. An unnamed trio of local musicians took to the streets as buskers on the day we had hoped to hold Day of Music and fortunately, they […]
The Downtown Report: Mid-June Edition
Discover Downtown on Foot The many videos that spotlight downtown businesses give anyone who has not actually walked every downtown street some great insight into what they are missing. A sign posted […]
City Seeks Input on Downtown “People Powered” Transportation
A plan to promote transportation alternatives to enable mobility and enhance the quality of life in downtown Fullerton is under way. The process has been funded by grants from Caltrans and the […]
The Downtown Report: Early June Edition
Day of Music Fete de la Musique is celebrated on the Summer Solstice and our annual Day of Music began back in 2014. Many got a call from Glenn Georgieff who wanted […]
The Downtown Report: Early May Edition
100 and Counting Suddenly it appeared on the screen, something that many may not realize still exists—a nationwide TV salute to those who had just turned the page on 99 and hit […]
The Downtown Report: Mid April
“Why Don’t ‘They’ Fix the Potholes?!” As Commonwealth got worse and worse with all the micro-trenching for the installation of fiber optic cable, water main breaks, erosion, etc., the above line was […]
Fullerton Market Returns
The Downtown Fullerton Market is back. Starting April 8 residents are once again able to enjoy once again farm fresh, seasonal produce, fresh bread, honey, pre-packaged foods, flowers, and more. Thursdays 4pm-7:30pm […]
The Downtown Report: Early April
Easter Egg Hunt We are never too old for one, especially when the big kids can get in on the action too. Beginning Saturday, March 20, spring began with a Fullerton Loves […]
The Downtown Report: Mid March Edition
Wow, it has been some time since there was this much energy in our Downtown. Walking around, it was palpable. Maybe it’s the approach of Spring, but more likely, it’s a sense […]
The Downtown Report: Early March Edition
Gem of a Gym Updates are promised and promises are kept, so here we go with some info regarding the long-awaited new gymnasium at our downtown Fullerton High School. Wow. Check the […]
The Downtown Report: January 2021 Edition
Welcome to Fullerton Got a near panic alert that “Our taxes are being spent on a mural when they should be spent on fixing our potholes!” Of course, we all want our […]
The Downtown Report: Mid December Edition
Sparkle Ball Alliteration The famously fun, fantastic Fullerton Sparkle Ball display is finally in full force, and, being invited to check it out via an all-access pass and a street-by-street tour in […]
The Downtown Report: Early December 2020
Kick 2020 to the Curb We can all finally agree on one thing—the end of this year can’t come early enough. So, that makes an early year in review appropriate just as […]
Protesters Demand Dismissal of Officer in Death of Fullerton Man
More than a dozen demonstrators gathered in front of the Fullerton Police Department on the afternoon of Saturday, November 14, to protest the killing of Fullerton resident Hector Hernandez in May […]
The Downtown Report: Mid November Edition
Beartown Bears in Downtown Fullerton? Yes. A recent excavation for new elevators at Fullerton Union High School unearthed the bear skull. Wow, the protocols used to clear visitors for entry to the […]
The Downtown Report: Early November Edition
Orange is the New Green If you live in Fullerton, you likely know a bit about our history when it comes to Charles Chapman and his extensive range of Valencia orange groves. […]
