FPD Involved In Beating Death Taken Off Street

The FBI will investigate the death of Kelly Thomas fatally injured during a fight with Fullerton police, authorities confirmed Friday, as the police chief temporarily took the officers involved in the confrontation off street duty.

A day after Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson sent a letter to the Department of Justice's civil-rights division requesting a federal inquiry into the "facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of the Fullerton Police Department," FBI officials confirmed that they have opened an investigation.

Thomas, 37, died several days after a confrontation with six police officers.

One of the officers is now on administrative leave. While the five other officers have since returned to active duty, Fullerton police Chief Michael Sellers on Friday evening temporarily reassigned them away from front-line patrol duties.

"In other words, they are not working the streets," Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said. "The chief said that for the sake of public trust and confidence, and in the best interest of the investigation, he made these reassignments."

Officers confronted Thomas on July 5 while investigating reports of a man burglarizing cars near a bus depot. Police say Thomas became violent as two officers tried to search him, kicking off a fight in which six officers were needed to subdue him. Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries.

Thomas was taken off life support several days after his confrontation with police. An autopsy was inconclusive, with Orange County Coroner's Office officials saying they need to carry out further tests to determine the cause of Thomas' death.

Police initially said two officers had broken bones after the fight. The officers were later diagnosed with soft-tissue damage after they were re-examined, Goodrich said.

Thomas' family members accuse officers of using excessive force during what they described as a "brutal beating." Ron Thomas, Kelly Thomas' father, has said police beat his son to death and has circulated a picture of his son's bruised and bloody face.

The graphic photo, as well as the online posting of a cell-phone video that appears to show the fight, has brought widespread attention to the incident.

In the video, the sound of a Taser can be heard, along with Kelly Thomas screaming and then yelling, "Dad! ... Dad! ... Dad!"

Witnesses can also be heard on the video saying, 'Oh, my God," "They're freaking ruthless" and "What is that ... five cops and one guy."

The Orange County District Attorney's Office is looking into what happened that night. Fullerton police are conducting an internal investigation, and Goodrich said two cell-phone videos are "in the hands of the D.A."

"We believe there should be a transparent, neutral-party investigation, and that is being conducted right now," Goodrich said. "We realize the images are troubling. But you have to have a thorough and complete investigation that looks at the facts as facts. We have to separate the emotions that everybody has."

Nelson, who represents the district that includes Fullerton, says he turned to the Department of Justice as a "neutral referee" to carry out an investigation.

"Rumors aren't answers, and there is a danger in too much speculation," Nelson said. "But it is sometimes all too convenient for government to stand by this 'We have to wait for the investigation' bit. I've got people in Fullerton who are scared now, and the silence sometimes is what is causing fear."

The federal inquiry comes days after Fullerton Councilman Bruce Whitaker urged city officials to release any evidence, including video, of the fight between Thomas and police.

The District Attorney's Office will not publicly release video of the fight, said Susan Schroeder, the DA's chief of staff.

"We want to make sure that witnesses are testifying to what they actually witnessed, not what they saw in the media," Schroeder said.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has "made it clear that this case is important and a priority," with dozens of investigators involved in the inquiry, Schroeder said. District Attorney's Office investigators have interviewed about 80 witnesses so far, Schroeder said, and expect to talk to more than 100 people before the investigation concludes.

"Anybody who has any sort of compassion would understand why the father is upset, the family is upset and the public upset," Schroeder said. "But it is important we do a thorough job of investigating this case, because we want to make sure the truth comes out."

The federal investigation will run parallel to the other investigations but will remain independent, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

Family members described Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, as a good-natured "free spirit" who was homeless by choice.

Thomas had more than two dozen run-ins with the law dating back to the 1990s, mostly petty misdemeanors or infractions, court records show. He pleaded guilty in 1995 to assault with a deadly weapon, the only felony on his record.

Emotions continued to run high Friday, with Ron Thomas accusing Fullerton police of releasing a misleading booking photo of a man he claims is not his son as part of what he described as a "smear campaign."

Police denied the charge, contending that the photo was a booking photo of Thomas taken when he was arrested on suspicion of trespassing in late 2009, and kept in a file with his fingerprints. They responded late Friday by releasing a second booking photo taken with a different camera and at a different angle while they say he was being booked into Orange County Jail.

A public protest is expected to take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in front of the Fullerton Police Station, 237 W. Commonwealth Ave., followed by a vigil from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday in front of Fullerton City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.

By Sean Emery, Lou Ponsi, and Doug Irving
Emery, Ponsi and Irving write for the Orange County Register

A Summer To Remember For Fullerton Baseball

Right: A panoramic view of Amerige Park in Fullerton, the site of the PONY World Series running until Wed. Teams from Iowa, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico are here.

By Allen Bacon
The Daily Bosco

In a town known for it's baseball excellence, this was shaping up to be a quiet baseball summer in the city of Fullerton.

First of all, our minor league team the Flyers, after losing their lease at Goodwin Field and possbily pouting over the fact that the city wasn't going to let them take over Amerige Park, decided to sit the Golden Baseball League Season out. The Flyers would usually fill the summer months until the first part of September after the Cal State Fullerton Titans finish their season in June.

Secondly, the aforementioned Titans made a quick exit from the NCAA playoffs at the beginning of June in a Regional hosted by the City of Fullerton.

Thirdly, our Fullerton College Hornets didn't even qualify for the playoffs and three out of the four Fullerton High School teams (with the exception of Troy) didn't make CIF.

So, we were possibly faced with a long summer of going to Anaheim Angel games which as we later found out wasn't that bad...given the current good run by the team.

But as soon as the last Titan batter went down in the NCAA regionals this is when Fullerton baseball got interesting.

That's because Freshman Titan outfielder Michael Lorenzen, a product of Fullerton High School, boarded a plane for the East Coast to join Team USA. At the same time his old FUHS teammate Dominic Ficiociello, was also doing the same thing because after a wonderful Freshman year at the University of Arkansas, the Razorbacks had just been eliminated from the NCAA playoffs.

So, you had a very unique situation. Two players from the same High School..Fullerton High on Team USA. To put this achievement in it's proper perspective, this is the team that would be playing at the Olympics if it was Olympic year and Baseball was still an Olympic sport and if Pros were not allowed to participate. This is a high honor to play with this team, in other words.

Lorenzen was originally supposed to play until his fellow Team USA teammates got done with the NCAA Playoffs. But he did such a great job out of the chute, that the coaches promoted him to a full time status position.

Both Lorenzen and Ficociello, not just content filling that beautiful USA uniform, contributed in every single game. If Michael was having a quiet game, then Dom would do something to win the game...and vice versa. It seemed like in every game in the 30 game schedule that either Dom or Michael was dominating.

To top it off the final two games against Japan to end the Team USA summer season were played at the brand new TD America Ballpark in Downtown Omaha, home of the College World Series. So Dom and Michael made it to Omaha this year....just not with their College teams.

While that was winding down, the Little League All Star Season was just getting started.

Nelson Asks Feds to Probe Thomas Death

The Orange County supervisor for the Fourth District that represents Fullerton has asked the Department of Justice to investigate the death of a homeless man who died after a fight with Fullerton police.

In a letter sent to the Department of Justice's civil-rights division Thursday, Orange County Supervisor and former Fullerton City Council member Nelson made a "formal request to commence an investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of the Fullerton Police Department."

Ironically, one of Shawn Nelson's biggest supporters and endorsers while he was running for Fullerton City Council was the Fullerton Police Department and Groups supporting the FPD.

FPD Officers confronted Thomas, 37, while investigating reports of a man burglarizing cars in the parking lot adjacent to a bus depot on July 5.

Police say Thomas became violent as two officers tried to search him, kicking off a fight in which six officers were needed to subdue him. Thomas suffered severe head and neck injuries, while two officers suffered moderate injuries.

Thomas' family has accused officers of using excessive force during what they described as a "brutal beating." Witnesses claimed Thomas was shot with a Taser and struck with a flashlight.

Thomas was taken off life support several days after the incident. An autopsy was inconclusive, with Orange County Coroner's Office officials saying they need to carry out further tests to determine the cause of Thomas' death.

Family members have since held several vigils and demonstrations in Fullerton, asking for information about the incident.

Nelson, who represents the supervisorial district that includes Fullerton, says officials told him that the FBI has begun an investigation into Thomas' death and indicated that the Department of Justice's civil-rights division may launch its own inquiry.

The reported federal inquiry comes days after Fullerton Councilman Bruce Whitaker urged city officials to release any evidence, including video, of the fight between Thomas and police. Graphic photos of Thomas' injuries taken by family members and first posted online at the Friends for Fullerton's future blog have increased public pressure.

"Rumors aren't answers, and there is a danger in too much speculation. But it is sometimes all too convenient for government to stand by this 'We have to wait for the investigation' bit," Nelson said. "I've got people in Fullerton who are scared now, and the silence sometimes is what is causing fear."

Nelson said he turned to the Department of Justice as a "neutral referee" to carry out an investigation.

"I feel horrible for a lot of people here," Nelson said. "The citizens of Fullerton deserve answers. The family of Kelly Thomas deserves answers."

Fullerton Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich noted that the investigation into Thomas' death has been turned over to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

"We believe there should be a transparent, neutral party investigation, and that is being conducted right now," Goodrich said. "We realize the images are troubling. But you have to have a thorough and complete investigation that looks at the facts as facts. We have to separate the emotions that everybody has."

Nelson said he informed District Attorney Tony Rackauckas about the federal investigation and was told that DA investigators would continue with their inquiry.

By Sean Emery
Emery is a writer for the OC Register

Chief Sellers Needs to Speak To Us Now

Op-Ed by Allen Bacon
The Daily Bosco
Photo by Jesse LaTour

Enough is enough.

As another round of protests is happening this morning as I write this outside the Fullerton Police Department over the Brutal Beating Death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of the FPD, we still have yet to hear from the head of the Fullerton Police Department Michael Sellers.

And while I appreciate Councilman Bruce Whitaker stepping up and writing an unofficial apology and a call to full disclosure from the FPD on this matter on City letterhead, this is really not the Councilman's job or place to do that. I believe, and I can't speak for Mr. Whitaker, that he (as most of the citizens of Fullerton) is embarrassed that it has taken so long (almost 3 weeks) for a statement from the Chief of Police. He probably felt he had to say something. Anything.

And you can't fault the FPD Spokesperson Officer Goodrich. He has been a public voice, but he is just following orders and repeating the policy of the department.

According to one report, Chief Sellers has been on vacation.

I appreciate that our Police officers and especially the Chief need to take periodic breaks. This is important because a Police' job is extremely stressful and I'm sure it was pre-planned before the incident. It is the summer after all. But this is an extremely urgent matter and so many things are riding on this. Like the fact that who is going to want to come to downtown Fullerton to shop and enjoy a meal, music, theater and art and everything our fine city has to offer without the fear (probably the wrong perception) of looking at the officers of the FPD the wrong way and getting pulverized to death?

This is a major disservice also to our fine men and women who wear the badge in Fullerton that do their job correctly and wonderfully and with outstanding merit.

In my opinion, it is so important, that the chief should have, by now (almost three weeks after the beating) arranged to speak from his vacation place to make a statement and answer questions....even if it is to just say "We are still investigating and we will have an answer by such and such a date".

Because the longer this goes on, the beating and taser death of a 135 pound unarmed man at the hands of six uniformed Fullerton Police Department officers is looking more and more like uncontrolled police brutality and even worse a cover up by the FPD.

There is a recording of the incident somewhere. You know there is a recording of the incident. If not by the city camera pointed directly at the place of the beating in the Transportation Center...there was one made by a private citizen. According to Tony Bushala's video interview on the FFFF blog with Mike Turgeon who witnessed the beating, a real estate agent was recording the incident. That recording will either exonerate our officers or damn tham.

And where is the mainstream media in this? Outside of a few reports on ABC 7 and a couple of weak articles by the OC Register's Lou Ponsi, there has been little or no coverage of this major event. This is big news. This should be on CNN nationally it is so big.

Of course the Tribune is not reporting anything, the Daily Titan is off on summer break, and not even the Observer has weighed in yet. Most of the investigative reporting on this matter is coming from Tony Bushala, Jesse La Tour, and even the guys at the Fullertonian have uncovered the fact that there were no police injuries, as orginally reported.

So, we can speculate even more...or Chief Sellers...do the right thing and talk to us. Let us know what is going on. Exonerate the FPD or take disciplinary action.

And do it today if possible.

Remembering William Houser, Former FFD Chief

William Houser, a long time Fullerton resident who was the Fullerton Fire Department Chief from 1977 until 1984 passed on Sunday, July 10. 2011. He was 79.

William was born in Anaheim, but grew up in Fullerton, and was known as "Billy" to friends and family. He joined the Navy in his senior year at Fullerton High School, and served as a dental technician for four years in San Diego.

He married his wife Nellie in 1951 and they had two children, Leslie Ann and William Michael.

In 1954, he joined the Fullerton Fire Department and was promoted in the ranks to become Fire Chief in 1977. Chief Houser retired in 1984.

Additionally, he was chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Fullerton Elks, a Shriner and a Mason with the Anaheim Blue Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Edward and Charles; two sisters, Laura Ball and Eva Mae Wells; and grandson, Jesse Rolsheim. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Nellie; son, William Michael and his wife, Donna; daughter, Leslie and her husband Richard Rolsheim and their son, Jonathan Rolsheim; brothers-in-law, Ben Francis, John Francis and his wife Juanita, Ed and his wife Carol, Garland and his wife Marion; sisters-in-law, Ellen Guinn and Marjorie Francis; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

A service will be held in Fullerton, CA at 12:00 noon at Wilshire Community Church, 212 East Wilshire, July 30th. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer's Association .

Golden Hill Ends Incredible Run In Playoffs

Right: Jake Rosander was one of many hitting stars for Golden Hill all the way through the Tournament Season this summer. GHLL won 9-4 on Tuesday to set up a rematch with Encino on Wednesday. Encino would go on to win on Wednesday 7-5 to end Golden Hill wonderful run. No Fullerton team had ever gone this far in the history of the league.

A recap of Wednesday's game from Gametracker.

In the top of the sixth Encino lead off the inning with a double. The runner advanced on a pass ball. A single to left scored a run.

A balk is called and put runners at second and third with one out.

A walk loads the bases for Encino.

A double for Encino scores two and a single scores one more.

A ground out for the second Encino out...and a run scores. Encino takes the lead.

Encino runner steals second and advances to third on a wild pitch.

Will McEntee in to pitch for Golden Hill

A single brings in the seventh run for Encino.

A ground out ends the inning.

Golden Hill retired in order in the bottom of the sixth.

Encino flys out to center to start the seventh.

Encino batter walks, takes second on a pass ball, and third on a wild pitch. Next Encino batter strikes out looking. 2 out.

Encino grounds out to second for the third out. 8:15 PM

Brent Bell singles up the middle on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the bottom of the seventh for Golden Hill

One out on a strike out. Runner at first. 8:21 PM

Foul tip third strike for the second GHLL out. GHLL down to one more out.

Golden Hill completes inning and a great season. The final tonight...

Encino 7, Golden Hill 5.


Little League Junior Division
Sub Regionals
Location: West Park
Tehachapi, California
Current Temp:
86 degrees
Sunny Skies
Wind: SE at 14 mph
Opening Pitch Scheduled
for 6 PM PT

Post Season Records:
Golden Hill of Fullerton: 8-2
Winner of District 56 Tournament (4-1)
Winner of Section 5 Tournament (3-0)
Last Game: 9-4 Win over Saticoy, Tues. (2-1)

Encino (9-0):
Winner of District 50 Tournament (4-0)
Winner of Section 2 Tournament (3-0)
Last game: 5-2 Win over Golden Hill, Mon. (2-0)

Probable Pitchers:
Golden Hill: Andrew Piraino rhp
Encino: Not available

North Sub Division Notes: In what has essentially boiled down to a best of 3 series between Encino and Golden Hill, A GHLL Win tonight will force a final and deciding game in the championship round of the Northern Division Sub Regionals. The winner of this series goes on to play in Riverside this weekend against the winner of the South Division.

Reporting: Anne Duran

Fullerton's Invasion Win Softball National Title

The California Invasion, the Fullerton-based girls under-14 fastpitch softball team, have won the Triple Crown Sports 14U Fastpitch National Tournament in Park City, Utah.

California Invasion bettered a field of 62 teams in the double-elimination tournament, defeating Rocky Mountain Thunder in the championship game, 16-9.

Head coach Bob Galeener earned his first national title after coaching girls softball for more than 25 years.

Invasion began tournament play by winning 3-of-4 games in pool play, which consisted of teams from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Oregon. The squad was then seeded into a double-elimination bracket where it defeated top-seeded SoCal Gators, 11-6, and Las Vegas Blast, 10-5. Invasion then defeated SOC Storm before avenging its earlier loss in pool play to the Panthers, winning 15-3.

In the semifinals, Invasion score a 6-5 win in an International Tiebreaker over OC Elite, advancing them to the finals against Rocky Mountain Thunder. Thunder built a quick 3-0 lead, but Invasion came roaring back, eventually winning the game and national title.

Members of the team include: Alisha Greene, Cassidy Morton, Courtney Morton, Dani Messner, Dolores Barber, Emili Olague, Emma Lee, Julie Brietigam, Katelyn Wickman, Kaylee Patterson, Lindsay Raphael, Madi Dove, Molly Bourne, � Shannon Skrzynski and Shavonne Budnik.

Story and Photo by Lyle Dove

Fullerton High FFA Takes Top Award at Fair

Editors Note: Fullerton Union High School Future Farmers of America won the first place chapter award at the Orange County Fair. Members included Lauren Acuna, Robert Ward and Rafael Ortiz. This is a story about FUHS Agri Student Robert Ward and the hard work that went into being one of the top Agri students in the County written by his mother Irene.

My son Robert Ward has been in Fullerton Union High School FFA (Future Farmers of America) for four years.

He wore a cord and ribbon of blue and gold at graduation this year. He had to be in FFA for four years to get that. He has raised two pigs, a lamb and this year a goat named Junior. He took care of these animals twice a day. In the morning before school started he cleaned the pen with a shovel and fed the animal. After school he would hose down the pen and feed the animals again. Approximately once a week he would wash the goat. This procedure was also done on the weekends as well.

A goat can be very temperamental. Some days better than others.

Junior weighed in at the OC Fair at 72 pounds. Friday Junior worked well with Robert and they earned second place in the market goat judging competition.

The Fullerton Union High School FFA Chapter received first place FFA chapter as a result of the work that students Lauren Acuna, Robert Ward and Rafael Ortiz did with their goats.

Friday Junior was not cooperating with Robert. He was jumping around in the arena. Robert gently brought him back to the ground placing him in the appropriate position. They received tenth place in the advanced division.

Junior will be auctioned off Saturday July 23 at the Junior Livestock Auction. My son will use the proceeds from the sale for furthering his education at Mt. San Antonio College in Veterinary Science.

What did my son learn? Responsibility. Confidence. Commitment. It's an agricultural program, and they're taking science classes the four years. They give animals shots. They help each other out, so it's a team effort.


Irene Finke, of Fullerton, is a registered nurse

On the Fullerton Library's Grand Re-Opening

By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

I don't know about you, but I am extremely excited about the Grand Re-opening of our Public Library this morning. Like a kid on Christmas Day waiting to open his presents excited.

From what I have heard this is going to be an exciting and great center piece...a destination place in our town.

As long as I can remember, the Fullerton Public Library has been one of the center pieces of my life.

When I was a young kid growing up in town, I remember the very first time my mother Lois took my brother and I to the old library on Pomona Ave. (the building where the museum is now). I was three or four years old. My mom didn't drive in the early sixties so we literally would walk from our home by Richman School to the library.

I remember looking up in awe when I first entered the building on Pomona Ave. A whole world was there right in front of me...all I had to do was learn how to read. And that was the point...my mom wanted my brother and I to learn to read early. What better way to stimulate that desire than to go to the Fullerton Public Library.

Plus, the Fullerton Public Library had the coolest children's section. It was underground!!! And as everybody knows, stuff is just cooler underground.

From that moment I was hooked and I never let a week go by without visiting the Library. Or the Bookmobile...which would park out in front of Orangethorpe school every Monday.

I used the Fullerton Library for a lot of things through the years. I worked on many a homework assignments and singlehandedly wore our the Encylopedia Americana from my assignments from Richman Elementary, Nicolas Junior High, Fullerton High, Fullerton College, and Cal State Fullerton.

I would listen to the music upstairs when I was a teenager. They had this tremendous vinyl album and cassette tape library. One summer I spent a lot of time listening and absorbing jazz. Everything from Cal Tjader, to Dizzie Gillespie, to Stan Getz and Herbie Hancock. All through the turntable and head sets at the Fullerton Public Library.

In the early 80's as I was starting my business, before cel phones, I-phones, the internet, laptops and other mobile devices, I used the Library as one of my offices on the road. I would type up proposals and quotes on one of the Library's IBM Selectrics. I would make phone calls and retrieve messages from the pay phone outside the Library. I would make copies on the Library Copy Machine.

I researched my family history and researched other things and looked at reams of Fullerton Trib and Los Angeles Times articles on the Fullerton Library Microfilm machines in my early 20's. The people in the microfilm dept. became my close and personal friends..I was there so much.

I have seen great independent films and listened to lectures from great minds at the FPL. I even have been to a few piano recitals with my children involved at the Osborne Auditorium inside the Library.

The point is, I love the Fullerton Public Library and I can't wait to see what they've done with the place today.

I have a feeling it is going to be awesome.

Photo: The Carnegie Library in Fullerton in the 1920's.
Credit: Fullerton Public Library, Launer Room.

Road-Weary Blues Tie Harrisburg 1-1

Still hoping to find all of his lower bicuspids in place — nearly an hour after absorbing a heavy elbow to his bottom jaw — Jeritt Thayer couldn’t help but massage his chin.

Unfortunately for the hustling Harrisburg City Islanders center back, he couldn’t massage away the disappointment he and his heavily lathered teammates were feeling Saturday night at steamy Skyline Sports Complex. Not after watching another winnable game turn into a 1-1 draw.

As for the effect of Saturday’s stalemate with the road-weary Los Angeles Blues of Fullerton, it’s rather simple for Bill Becher’s second-place club (8-5-6, 30 points):

The City Islanders must win — and win quite a bit — during the final three weeks of the USL PRO campaign if they hope to finish at or near the top of the National Division standings.

Since Harrisburg leads the Blues (who play their home games in Fullerton) by a mere three points — LA (7-4-6, 27 points) has played two fewer games — unfortunately, the City Islanders might need help to get that done.

Hence, the disappointment.

“[Los Angeles] has two games in hand on us and they’re only three points behind, so we’re definitely going to have to work a lot harder than we have been,” said Thayer, who absorbed a Peter Byers elbow in the 65th minute that resulted in the brawny striker being shown a red card and ejected.

“We got some unlucky breaks. They got a goal at the end of the first half that really hurt,” added Thayer, referring to a Cesar Rivera score in the 43rd minute that pulled LA into a 1-1 tie. “That really took the wind out of our sails, but we definitely could have done better.

“I think we’ll see a different team coming out against Dayton on Wednesday.”

While a win at last-place Dayton would pop the City Islanders back into a share of the National lead with Rochester and secure a postseason invite for the sixth time in eight seasons, this Harrisburg side doesn’t want to just make the playoffs. This club has loftier expectations.

“We have to win out, especially if we want to win our [division], said midfielder Jason Pelletier, whose restart rip in the 19th minute staked the City Islanders to a 1-0 advantage. “We have to win out, we have to win our next five games. This was a big opportunity for us.”

One that melted in the oppressive heat.

“We’re definitely in a battle for playoff position,” said a miffed Becher, whose club had a second score in the 42nd minute nullified by an offside infraction. Moments later, Rivera equalized. “We still have our hopes and sights on first place, but we put a major blow into that today.”

A major blow that must be rubbed out. And plenty of salve can be applied to a nasty wound by winning Wednesday night at Dayton and creating some positive vibes.

“Definitely getting those three points on Wednesday are what we need to secure that playoff spot,” Thayer said. “From there hopefully it relaxes us a little bit and we’ll be able to play our football.”

By Michael Bullock
Bullock is a Sportswriter for The Patriot News

Golden Hill Beats El Monte at Sub Regional

Right: Brent Bell got his team going with a lead off single in the top of the first for Golden Hill of Fullerton Saturday afternoon en route to a win over South El Monte.

By Anne Duran
and Allen Bacon
Daily Bosco Sports
Photo by Paula Wheeler

Golden Hill of Fullerton scored early and often and didn't let up the offensive pressure en route to a 25-1 mercy rule win over South El Monte. The game was the first game of the Little League Junior Division All Star Sub Regional at West Park in Tehachapi, California for both teams.

With the win Golden Hill improved to 8-1 in the post season after winning the District 56 Tournament and Section 5 Tournament earlier this month. The team is three tournaments away from reaching thier ultimate goal...the Little League Junior World Series in Taylor, Michigan next month.

In the win, GHLL starting pitcher Andrew Piraino pitched two solid innings of shutout baseball allowing only one South El Monte baserunner. He was relieved by Evan Sonny who took it the rest of the way and was equally impressive only allowing one run by El Monte in the fifth and last inning (due to the mercy rule).

The Golden Hill offense was impressive with strong outings from everybody in the lineup. The Hill scored four in the first, eleven in the second and ten in the third before calling off the dogs in the fourth.

Matt Hall was one of the offensive stars hitting two homeruns and driving in six runs in the victory. Brett Bell was four for four and Jake Rossander hit a homerun and went three for four driving in four runs.

Golden Hill, besides hitting for power, demonstrated they could manufacture runs too. In the bottom of the second Dominic Vaccher singled to lead off the inning. Vaccher stole second and Brett Bell followed with an infield single. Justin Mellano loaded the bases with a perfect bunt down the third base line. Next up was Matt Hall who cleared the bases with a double to left. Jake Rossander would follow with a single to drive in Hall and Evan Sonny drove in Rossander with a base hit to left field. Golden Hill would go on to score eleven in that inning alone.

Golden Hill started the game by scoring four in the first using the same method. Brett Bell singled up the middle to lead off the game and Matt Hall drove in Bell with a double for the first run of the game. Andrew Piraino doubled to right to score Hall and Jake Rosander then hit his first homerun of the afternoon with a blast over the West Park left field fence.

Golden Hill's next game in the Sub Tournament is Monday night July 25 against Encino. Game time is 6 PM in Tehachapi and can be followed live on Bosco Fullerton Sportstracker. The link will be in the Bosco Radio section in the sidebar.

Sportstracker Replay: Golden Hill 25 El Monte 1

Anne Duran Reporting
for the Daily Bosco
Gametime Photo from GHLL

REPLAY: For a replay of this game read from the bottom up. Next game for Golden Hill of Fullerton is Monday night July 25 at 6:00 PM PT. Come back to Bosco Fullerton for live coverage from Tehachapi.


Top of Fifth El Monte retired after scoring one. Mercy rule invoked.
Final: Golden Hill 25 of Fullerton, South El Monte 1

Bottom of Fourth Golden Hill Retired

Top of Fourth South El Monte Retired

Golden Hill 25, South El Monte 0

Bottom of Third Golden Hill Hitting Golden Hill scores ten runs.

Golden Hill 25, South El Monte 0

Top of Third South El Monte hitting. Evan Sonny in to pitch for Golden Hill.

South El Monte retired in order.

Golden Hill 15, South El Monte 0

Bottom of Second Golden Hill of Fullerton Hitting Dominic Vaccher singles to lead off. Vaccher steals second. Brett Bell singles. Justin Mellano bunt single down third. Matt Hall Doubles to left field. 3 score.

Jake Rossander drives in Matt Hall with a single. Evan Sonny drives in Rossander with base hit to left.

With score 12-0 and two outs, South El Monte inserts third pitcher of game.

Matt Hall hits second homerun of the game.

Golden Hill Retired.

Golden Hill 15, South El Monte 0

Top of Second South El Monte Retired. Golden Hill 4, South El Monte 0

South El Monte hitting against Andrew Piraino

Bottom of First Bradley Bowen singles. Golden Hill retired. Golden Hill 4, South El Monte 0

Golden Hill Batting against Angel Lopez. Brett Bell singles up the middle. Matt Hall drives in Bell with a Double. Andrew Piraino doubles to right scoring Hall. Jake Rosander homers to left. Golden Hill 4, South El Monte 0.

Top of First South El Monte - No runs 1 hit. 1 left on.

Little League Junior Division
Sub Regionals
Location: West Park
Tehachapi, California
Game Time Temp: 86 degrees
Parly Cloudy Skies Wind: SE at 9 mph
Opening Pitch Scheduled for 2 PM PT

Post Season Records:
Golden Hill of Fullerton: 7-1
Winner of District 56 Tournament
Winner of Section 5 Tournament

South El Monte: 6-0
Winner of District 51 Tournament
Winner of Section 3 Tournament

Starting Pitchers:
Golden Hill: Andrew Piraino rhp (3-0)
South El Monte: Angel Lopez rhp (2-0)

North Regional Notes: Winner of this game plays Monday Night at 6 PM. Loser of this game plays tonight in an elimination game at 6 PM against Saticoy.

Photo: The view from West Field today in Tehachapi California. (Ghll)
Reporting: Anne Duran

Latin Jazz, The Frank Cano Way

Frank Cano Latin Jazz Band
Steamers Jazz Club and Cafe
July 23

Editors Note: Los Angeles Trumpeter Frank Cano and his Latin Jazz Band played July 23 at Steamers Cafe in Fullerton. In 2007, Mr. Cano released a wonderful jazz album which we review here.

Frank Cano
A Beautiful Day / Un Lindo Dia
Independent
Five Scoops of Bosco

Frank Cano is a LA based trumpeter, a good composer as well as a decent arranger. He showcases these talents to fine effect on his debut recording "A Beautiful Day, Un Lindo Dia". As the leader on this outing he also proves that he can put together a great Latin Jazz band.

The talented master percussionist and conguero Francisco Aguabella adds immensely to the Latin Cubop theme on two of the tracks, while conguero Joey De Leon, master bongosero, Jose ‘Papo’ Rodriguez and timbalist Ramon Banda add the salsa touch with heavy clave rhythms.

This all star cast of percussionists create spontaneous movement in the listening experience. Joined by a host of talented LA studio musicians who team up to create an exciting and varied salsa heavy band that sounds festively alluring.

Frank Cano, Mexican born and Californian raised, has performed for three years with legendary conguero Francisco Aguabella, a fine training ground for catching a groove and polishing it to a finely honed edge as seems to be the case here. The songs that are featured are primarily Cano compositions. Six of the eight compositions on the CD are by Cano. He is joined by Robert Chasco, Bruce Goss and Jimmy Quiroz as contributing composers on certain track selections. The song “Encanto” is composed by Francisco Torres, the trombonist and co-producer along with Cano on this album.

A Frank Cano original kick starts the album. “Validacion” certainly validates the music as authentic, inspiring and moving in the right direction. The percussionist ensemble is allowed to run free - opening the door for the soloists who come on strong right out of the gate. A strong tenor saxophone solo by Javier Vergara leads and finds Frank Cano responding with an equally as impressive trumpet solo. The trumpet solo leads to a drum battle of intensity, all members of the percussion section are interacting with typical Latin fire and passion. A return to the opening melody all too soon, some five minutes later, and a gentle fade out.

The title track “A Beautiful Day/ Un Lindo Dia” is another original by Frank Cano. The song features the flautist Danilo Lozano and vocalist Melanie Jackson, a moderate tempo in a cha-cha style rhythm with a smooth Latin jazz groove. Lozano’s flute playing flows, flutters and flashes brilliance, conguero Francisco Aguabella who is also featured on this track plays as passionately as ever.

Many of the songs are straight ahead salsa tunes that make you want to get up and dance, “Sesionar” written by Cano, Chasco, and Goss is one such tune, while “Baila Mi Negra” by Cano and Chasco is another, featuring some inspired flute playing by Lozano. The song also has a nice piano interlude by Chris Barron and a trombone solo by Francisco Torres that swings and cooks up a storm.

The final song of the album “A Beautiful Day/ Un Lindo Dia”, entitled “Human Nature” by Cano, Chasco, and Goss, is a fitting closer, featuring fiery playing by Vergara on tenor sax and some inspired conga, bongo and timbale playing by the percussionistas - the song revs up the pulse of the listener to the near breaking point. Pianist Chris Barron lets loose with some inspired playing on this track as well, he sets the pace, lays down the melody and set the tone for the horns. The horn arrangements really stand out on this number, this is perhaps the most exciting song and pushes the listener to start all over again.

Review by Paul J. Youngman
Mr. Youngman is a Jazz reviewer for Vinlemania.net

The Blues Beat Richmond in Sweltering Heat

RICHMOND, VA – The visiting Los Angeles Blues of Fullerton claimed the lead in the 5th minute and held it throughout the match to earn a 2-1 win over the Richmond Kickers on a steamy Friday night at City Stadium in Richmond, Virgina. With a heat index soaring over 110 degrees, midfielder Cesar Rivera and Jonatan De Leon combined to tally a pair of first half goals before Kickers defender Sascha Görres converted a 69th minute penalty to avoid the shutout.

The Blues added extra heat to the stifling humidity directly out of the gates when Rivera fed the ball through to De Leon at the top of the box. One on one with Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale, he calmly slotted it underneath the veteran netminder into the far corner of the net to give the visitors a fifth minute lead.

Later, the Kickers saw their best two chances to level the score averted within a four minute span. First, a quick restart found Görres open on the left side of the box. He calmly played the ball squarely to an open David Bulow at the penalty spot but his volley dipped just over the crossbar in the 33rd minute.

Then, Kickers midfielder Gerson dos Santos played a long ball up to a well-positioned Bulow on the left edge of the box. He served it to a heavily marked Matthew Delicâte at the far post, who won the ball in the air but his determined header was smothered by Blues goalkeeper Oscar Dautt.

With just one minute from the halftime whistle, the Blues added a second tally to the scoreline when Rivera teamed up with his strike partner De Leon once again. Receiving the ball from Rivera on the left wing, De Leon powered through the defense and fired a missile from point blank range into the back of the net.

The Blues carried the 2-0 lead into the halftime break, and maintained the advantage until defender Nelson Akwari was called for a rash tackle against Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone inside the box in the 68th minute. A composed Görres stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty with German precision to put the Kickers back into the game.

Gaining momentum, the Kickers nearly notched the equalizer in the 73rd minute when Görres lofted a ball into the box from the left wing. Delicâte reached to redirect a header to the far post but the Kickers big marksman was denied by Dautt.

The Blues answered back with a close call of their own in the 83rd minute when midfielder Tomi Colic launched a rocket from close range on target but Pascale pushed it wide.

With just minutes to spare, the Kickers threw everything forward, only to see several chances go awry. In a last ditch effort to salvage a point, Görres collected the ball deep on the left wing and served it through a heavily defended box, finding second half substitute Shaka Bangura in prime position. The speedy forward got a touch on it and fed it through a gap in the defense, only to be rejected one last time by the Blues ‘keeper.

Captain America Throws A Mighty Shield

Captain America: The First Avenger
Currently Playing At AMC Fullerton
Paramount (125 min.)
Directed by Joe Johnston
With Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving
125 min.; PG-13
Four Scoops of Bosco

If anyone ever needed a superhero to step in and save the day — well, it’d probably be the people making superhero movies during this not-exactly-inspiring year.

So here — hooray! — comes “Captain America: The First Avenger.” The film is currently playing at the AMC Fullerton Theaters. See our movie section in the sidebar for Showtimes.

And while he can’t quite vanquish our bad memories of “The Green Hornet,” at least he can remind us of the genre’s original, innocent appeal.

Perhaps that’s because, although there’s a brief framing sequence, the script doesn’t try to immediately update the good Captain to 2011. This is a ’40s story, as a draft-board reject volunteers for an experiment — and finds himself turned into a super-strong soldier, and a celebrity.

But he soon abandons his stage show (although he keeps the costume) to take on the one-man German army known as the Red Skull.

The mix of WWII style and flashy modern eye candy is no surprise coming from director Joe Johnston. The former effects guy directed the retro cult fave “The Rocketeer”; he’s also helmed modern big-ticket movies such as “Jumanji.” He’s comfortable in both worlds.

Style and action are the main parts of this movie, too, and true to what many fans found in those Golden Age comics to begin with — awesome inventions, and wild clashes between pure-in-heart heroes and sadistic villains. (The angst and trauma and gray areas — those came later.)

Where the film falters a bit is the casting.

Most of the supporting actors are fine. Tommy Lee Jones is quietly funny as the Captain’s superior officer; Hugo Weaving plays the fierce Red Skull without a wink. (Only German scientist Stanley Tucci — coasting on und corny accent, yah? — seems content to merely cash his check.)

But while he’s sympathetic as the “98-pound weakling,” once he becomes our pumped-up Captain, Chris Evans is pretty much just a simple cut of prime rib. And Hayley Atwell brings nothing to the part of the British agent who’s supposed to be Captain America’s great love.

That’s a real failing for this film — although some fans kvetched about “Thor” and “Green Lantern,” you couldn’t say their love stories disappointed. But the romance here — which is an important part of who Captain America becomes — has no fire.

In fact, the strongest love visible on-screen is Johnston’s for his own work — and sometimes it gets a little cloying.

To have a character offhandedly refer to other Nazis looking for occult relics in the desert is appropriate and fun; Johnston did effects on “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” To steal a major scene from that film for an ending, though, isn’t an homage; it’s like showing your hostess how much you liked her party by pilfering a teaspoon.

But if you stop looking for what you’ve come to like about superhero films as an adult (dashing leads, sly wit, bittersweet romance) and concentrate on what you liked about comic books as a kid (good guys, bad guys and action), “Captain America” won’t disappoint.

And for once, that obligatory last-minute appearance by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury does what it’s supposed to do — put you in the mood for next year’s all-star superhero ensemble, “The Avengers.”

Reviewed by Stephen Whitty
Whitty writes film reviews for the Star-Ledger

Tales of Sex and Religion In Conservativeville

Damnee Manon Sacree Sandra
Written by Michel Tremblay
Directed by Richard Stein
Featuring Jessica Lamprinos and
Alexander Price
Monkey Wrench Collective
204 N. Harbor Blvd. Fullerton
Through July
Friday and Saturday Nights 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Five Scoops of Bosco

Reviewed by Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco
Photo By Melita Ann Sagar

As I was watching Michel Tremblay's "Damnee Manon, Sacree Sandra", the current show running at the Monkey Wrench Collective in Fullerton, I could not help think of the irony of the location of the theater on Harbor Blvd.

In this extremely controversial play that explores similarities between sex and religion, I realized that this theater was ground zero between two Fullerton institutions, The United Methodist Church down the alley and the Naughty Teddy. The Monkey Wrench Theater couldn't be in a more perfect location for this tale.

How controversial is Tremblay's 1977 play? Director Richard Stein says the first time he saw it in hardened New York, people walked out of the play in the first five minutes they were so offended. And that's New York.

And how gutsy is MWC's Director Dave Barton and company's call to produce this play right in the middle of the City of Fullerton that has more than one Catholic Church and ultra-conservative North Orange County? Not to mention we are in the middle of a theater season here in Fullerton bringing us, save for Hunger Artist's run of Lenane, safe and tried and true fare like Chicago, Twilight Zone, Little Shop of Horrors, and the Rat Pack. Pretty risky if you ask me.

Well the fact is nobody walked out the night I was there. You are immediately drawn to the two characters Manon (the religious) and Sandra (the Transvestite) on stage.

The challenge of a lot of Michel Tremblay's play is to keep the dialogue interesting and fresh. In this play in particular. There have been reviews of other company's doing this play where the actors could not pull off the monologues and keep it fresh. I am happy to report, this was not problem with MWC's Jessica Lamprinos and Alexander Price who play Manon and Sandra respectively. Plus, it's really not a true monologue because you have two people saying their own monologue. So, to me, the change back and forth was energizing and refreshing.

The thing about this play that is fascinating and the questions you have as it unfolds is while these two people..one sexual and carnal, the other religious...appear to be on opposite sides of each other, there is also a commonality of what they are saying. You also want to know what the connection, if any, there is with these two people.

Minimal, yet effective, set and costume design by the Collective, with the focus rightfully being on the two actors. Lighting is subtle but well done as the focus goes back in forth between both sides of the stage with the actors.

Kudos again to the Monkey Wrench crew and Dave Barton, the Director Richard Stein, and playwright Michel Tremblay for another job well done. And for being brave enough to show this in Fullerton.

Golden Hill One Step Closer To The World Series

Right: Matt Hall of Golden Hill of Fullerton Little League Junior Allstars gets a lead off first during the GHLL's 6-1 victory over La Mirada in the Championship game of the Sectional Tournament at the Fullerton Sports Complex Tuesday night.

By Anne Duran and
Allen Bacon
The Daily Bosco
Photo by Paula Wheeler

Chris Velasquez pitched a complete game 4 hitter with ten strikeouts and no walks; giving up only one run and retiring the first nine batters he faced as The Golden Hill of Fullerton Little League Junior All-Star team beat La Mirada on Tuesday July 19 6-1 to win the California Section 5 Championship and get a bit closer to the Little League Junior World Series in Taylor, Michigan next month.

Literally 150 Miles closer as the team will be traveling that distance north to Tehachapi on Saturday, July 23 to battle for the Sub-division title. First pitch against El Monte on Saturday is scheduled for 2 PM. Bosco Sports In-Game will have live updates starting at 2:00 PM PT. The team will have to win three tournaments, including this weekend's competition, to compete in the Junior World Series in Taylor, Michigan, August 14 - 20.

Justin Mellano, Mike Wheeler, Will McEntee, and Dominic Vaccher were the hitting stars of the championship game. Mellano doubled in two runs. McEntee had two RBI Wheeler and Vacher had one RBI each. The GHLL Allstars swept through the tournament going 3-0 since Saturday.

Protest Against FPD Beating Death Held

By Allen Bacon
Daily Bosco
Photo by Jesse LaTour

A protest against the beating death of Kelly Thomas was held in front of the Fullerton Police Department on Monday.

As of Monday, neither the Fullerton Police nor the District Attorney's Office have made a statement about the findings of an internal investigation of the July 5 beating when witnesses say that six FPD officers beat and tasered Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton Transportation Center.

Kelly Thomas's father, Rob, a retired officer with the Orange County Sheriff Department, said that this was a case of police brutality and his son's face was almost unrecognizable when he went to see him.

Kelly Thomas was in critical condition until July 11 when the family made the decision to take him off life support. Kelly Thomas died on July 11, less than a week after the beating.

FPD Needs To Disclose Details of Beating Death

Op-Ed By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

Growing up in Fullerton, I have always had a tremendous respect for the men and women that serve on our Police force in the city. That respect grew even more as I went on ride-alongs as a kid. Or when the nice officers would visit Richman Elementary and speak to us kids about the dangers of drugs. Then later some of my friends joined first the Scout program and then became officers with FPD. My brother went through the Fullerton College Police Cadet program and became an officer with the Orange County Sheriffs Department. Then I came to realize first hand, from an adult perspective, what it is like to be an officer.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I think I understand the challenges and the pressures and the good work our officers and leaders on the FPD do in behalf of the city.

So this is why I am a little more than puzzled and alarmed by the developments of this horrible beating and ultimate death of Kelly Thomas on July 5.

This is, by all what I have heard so far, not the Fullerton Police Department I know and respect.

According to eyewitness accounts, Thomas, 37, was beaten and tasered by six FPD officers. According to Thomas' father, a career law enforcement and military man, his son's face was beaten into an almost unrecognizable condition by the officers. He said based on his experience as an officer, the FPD used unnecessary force and there were no drugs in his son's system. Kelly Thomas was unconscious after being beaten by the officers, according to witnesses, and put on life support. The Thomas family made the tough decision to pull life support on July 10.

According to one source, a video of the incident was taken by a local real estate agent and the police officers took the video for evidence. There is also a camera in the Transportation Center area which may have caught the incident on tape.

After nearly two weeks, we need answers. I would like the Chief of Police and the DA's office to hold a press conference to make public comment and show the video and explain why six uniformed FPD officers that probably weigh a combined weight of around 1500 pounds with their equipment had the need to beat to death one 165 pound man with apparently no weapons on him while people around, reportedly, shouted to the officers to stop the unnecessary brutality. I am quite positive the video will show the reason why this was necessary and exonerate the officers and the Department. But the longer the silence from the FPD and the DA's office continues, it appears there may be a cover up.

What disciplinary action, if any, is being taken against the officers? And what training, if any, is being done with all officers to teach the proper method of interrogation and subduing a suspect going forward? We pay the Police Officers salaries. We have a right to know.

Please restore my faith in the FPD and do this now.

Friends of Coyote Hills Fight Back

By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

The Fight to save Coyote Hills from Development is far from over. After a 4-1 decision from the Fullerton City Council to allow Development by the Chevron Corporation on their Coyote Hills property on Tuesday night, the long time group, Friends of Coyote Hills, is planning to fight the decision and force a special election.

The group is working to get a referendum on a ballot in a special election to overturn the City Council decision.

The group is kicking off the referendum today Saturday July 16 from 9AM-1PM at the community room of Banco Popular, 1701 N Euclid St, Fullerton. Friends of Coyote Hills will be providing a 30-minute referendum overview and training throughout the morning for anyone who wants to help collect signatures or just get information on this effort.

They will also be deploying volunteers throughout locations in the City to gather signatures.

The Banco Popular Conference Room in Fullerton (1701 North Euclid) and the US Bank Conference Room at 201 West Bastanchury Rd will be open starting today. Representatives from the Friends of Coyote Hills will be there every Saturday from 9 AM-1PM and every weekday evening from 7-9 PM

Supporters are urged to drop by during their office hours to sign a petition, pickup new/drop off completed petitions, or to find out more about this referendum.

The Places and Dates:

Banco Popular: July 16 (Sat.), 19, 20, 23 (Sat.), 26, 27, 30 (Sat.). August 2, 3, 4, 13 (Sat.), 16, 17, 18.

US Bank: July 22, 25, 29. August 1, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 19

In addition, the Group needs the following:

Clip boards for the petitions. You can drop them off on Saturday at the above location or anytime on the porch of 925 Valencia Mesa, Fullerton

People to Host a signature gathering “party”.

Donations are Welcome

Get the word out by posting announcements to social mecia or email/talk to neighbors.

Friends of Coyote Hills will be posting a schedule and locations of more upcoming training and signature gathering events on their website at www.coyotehills.org

Tribe's Martinez and Poti Shine at All Star Game

When rosters were announced for the 52nd annual Orange County North-South All-Star Football game, San Clemente running back Terrell Johnson was almost an afterthought.

Johnson, who predominately played wide receiver during his Tritons career, initially found himself overshadowed in a South backfield that featured burners Jalen Craver (Woodbridge) and Dallas Kessman (Mission Viejo). However, neither Craver nor Kessman could participate due to injuries. North running back Josh Webb (Garden Grove), the CIF Southern Section Player of the Year, scored 42 touchdowns last fall while providing highlight-reel plays on a weekly basis and was widely considered the game's greatest offensive weapon.

Despite his under-the-radar status as a playmaker, Johnson stole the show in a 23-22 South victory Friday night in front of a packed LeBard Stadium at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound workhorse carried the South, scoring twice and slicing through a stout North defense for 143 yards on the ground.

His 26 carries were nearly half of the 55 handoffs he received during his entire senior season at San Clemente, when he caught 41 passes and amassed 12 total touchdowns. Johnson’s effort earned him Offensive Player of the Game honors in a contest that featured many of California’s top graduated seniors and future college football stars.

Quarterback Adam Young (Santa Margarita) teamed up with Johnson to help the South build an early 17-0 lead. Young used play-action to set the stage for a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kellon Truxton (Newport Harbor) in the opening half.

The North quickly answered with consecutive unanswered scores to close out the first half and open the third quarter. Quarterback Anthony Martinez from Fullerton High (who will be playing for Fullerton College this upcoming season) ended the shutout by plunging into the end zone from a yard out, while running back Nick Richardson (Los Alamitos) trimmed the North’s deficit to 17-14 with a six-yard burst.

The ensuing South possession ended abruptly, when Young scrambled away from pressure and launched an ill-advised throw toward the center of the field, where North defensive back Kapena Olsen (Villa Park) plucked the pass out of the air and dashed down the sidelines for a 30-yard touchdown. The North followed the pick-six with a successful two-point conversion for a 22-17 lead, its first of the contest.

Johnson answered for the South when he capped off a lengthy fourth quarter drive with a one-yard touchdown sprint on a quick pitch to the left outside edge of his offensive line. Despite a botched two-point conversion that followed, Johnson’s second score of the contest proved to be a game-winner.

The North had a final chance to grab the lead with time winding down. All-State kicker Connor Loftus (Servite) lined up for a 29-yard field goal attempt but his kick was immediately stopped in its tracks when a lunging Trent Mason (Dana Hills) got his hand on the ball for a victory-preserving block with 2 minutes 24 seconds left.

Mason’s timely play made him the Defensive Player of the Game and gave the South squad its third consecutive victory in the All-Star game, which was presented by the Brea Lions Club. Overall, the North hold a slim edge with a 25-24-3 record.

Fullerton High's Simon Poti (who will be playing for San Jose State this season) and Jackson Buis were also part of the North Squad.

By Tyler Donohue
Mr. Donohue is a sports writer for the Newport Beach Patch
Photo: OC Varsity

Marijuana Shop In Fullerton Closed Down

A marijuana dispensary operating about 300 feet from a Fullerton elementary school has been forced to shut down because of its proximity to the campus and other violations, police said Friday.

Neighbors of the Green Parrot dispensary complained to Fullerton police that it was operating illegally just yards from Raymond Elementary School, said Fullerton police Lt. Andrew Goodrich.

Goodrich said the Green Parrot, in the 1000 block of East Chapman Boulevard, was investigated by narcotics investigators for a variety of violations, including operating without a permit, no business license and operating within 600 feet of a school.

Green Parrot owner Derek Gonzalez, 21, of Wildomar, Calif., received a citation for the violations.

Goodrich said the store had about 400 medical marijuana customers. Gonzales agreed to close his business, according to Goodrich.

The city also cited the building owner’s for code violations.

“Marijuana dispensaries, collectives and cooperatives are not allowed to operate within the city of Fullerton," Goodrich said.

Source: Los Angeles Times
Photo: Fullerton Police Department

Next Stop Willoughby -The Play

The Twilight Zone
Stages Theater Fullerton
Tonight Sat. Night 11 PM
Ends Tonight July 16
Five Scoops of Bosco

By Rick Miranda
For The Daily Bosco

A long time ago I had a guidance counselor ask me, “Where do you want to be right now? Where do you want to go?” After a second I said “Willoughby.” He didn’t get it, the Philistine.

Maybe I’m more of a product of my circumstances than I am of my own design. My Catholic upbringing provides a solid foundation for an acceptance in a world greater than the tangible. Add a Mexican heritage where the paranormal and metaphysical are taken as matter of fact and as real as the sun rising or the rain pouring down. Temper it all a bit with a solid education in the sciences and logical reasoning from Aquinas to Hawking and then throw in a life time of over exposure to television and all its toxins. I find that something like the Twilight Zone isn’t as bizarre or fantastic as I would like it to be. In fact, nothing provides fodder so well for my musings on the unexplained in my life, particularly those rare incidents that completely defy a logical explanation. It has reinforced my interest, no, my affection for the quest for an answer that just isn’t in the right pigeonhole.

I’m not saying that I readily go looking for aliens or things that go bump in the night. I prefer to reasonable and scientific explanation for pretty much whatever I encounter. Yet I resist the notion that the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one, what is inaccurately attributed to Occam’s razor. But at times it’s just easier. It’s too hard to contort my imagination with the form of mental yoga that a Fox Mulder or a Carl Kolchak (remember him) would exercise on a daily basis. But maybe once in a long while an issue, a coincidence or fortunate happenstance or even a misadventure occurs that causes me to fathom the possibility that greater things may be at work.

Human nature usually encourages us to brush these things off with the shake of the head or a hand gesture. Like Ronnie Neary said in “Close Encounters”, “It’s just one of those things.” Afford no more mental energy on said incident and maybe someone will provide you with a palatable explanation at a later date. A mental paperclip to keep those question marks down to a comfortable level. We’re not at ease with the unexplained and especially when it doesn’t fit our personal model of the universe. One of the best things about the Twilight Zone is how the characters react and cope with Rod Serling’s curve ball in their 22 minutes of existence.

The premise is usually the same. Given their environment and circumstance, these are ordinary people. Men or women with which we can somehow identify or at the very least sympathize. The extraordinary nature of their circumstance is only brought to our attention as the story unfolds. A lot of times the protagonist becomes aware of it along with us, further drawing on our sympathies and similarities. Their humanization and the depth of their character is a hallmark of this show. If they are not us they are everyman or everywoman.

Quite often they get beyond their initial disbelief and plunge into the experience with enough reasoning intact to get them through the slight modification reality. The ultimate consequence of their actions is the direct result of either their ability to reason, their moral integrity or their lack of it. Aside from the immediate lesson to these morality plays I think there’s a greater object lesson to be learned. The world changes so quickly that it’s hard to maintain a sense of objectivity about it all. Like a drowning victim in the middle of a river we’re doing our best to keep our heads above water. We don’t have the point of view of the spectator on dry land that can see the sand bank to the left or the impending waterfall a hundred yards down river. The Twilight Zone is an exercise in perspective.

Down through the years these episodes have been played over and over. First in the early sixties, now in syndication and on holiday marathons they have become modern day Aesop fables of at least two or three generations. They have even been modified for radio and the series has been reimagined twice, albeit with limited success. Their repetition provides affection and a familiarity to the point that most of us can synopsize the episode and explain the moral of the story after only a scene or a few lines.

For myself, these stories have become part the collection of vicarious experiences against which I analogize the dilemmas in my own life. Just like any other work of literature, they are on my mental rolodex of possible situations and solutions along with Steinbeck and Solzhenitsyn. Serling, Matheson, Hamner, et al have made their contributions to literature no less significant than modern writers of a so called higher caliber. Their medium was simply television rather than the printed page. The poet expresses their message in a few stanzas; the author can take hundreds of pages. The screen writer has half an hour of air time to do the same. It’s a shame that so many of the great television dramas and anthology series have been forgotten and that the writing for shows like this one, Playhouse 90 or The Philco Television Playhouse are a thing of the past, replaced in this day and age with the vacuous drivel that permeates “reality television”.

But these are dearer to me in some way. Maybe it’s the fact that I was introduced to them first. I was certainly watching the Twilight Zone long before I was reading any of the great literary works of the twentieth century. Actually, it even predates my watching Batman so there has to be some kind of initial influence going on. The original run was during my first five years so knowing my father’s penchant for speculative fiction I’m sure I was exposed to it before I was on solid food.

Now as a local theater company has been so kind as to produce a few of these treasures for a live audience I’m compelled to attend. I have to see at least a couple of these stories on the live stage. Unfortunately my family and friends don’t appreciate these gems the way I do, perhaps from too much viewing on those aforementioned holidays. My wife looks at them and my affection for them much as she would an old girlfriend, she doesn’t really like them but she’ll tolerate me moderately dwelling on them from time to time. I’m going not to critique the quality of the adaption, the lighting, the acting or the scenery. These are stories I grew up with; fond, implanted vignettes; my fairy tales; my briar patch.

So when Gart Williams makes his departure I’ll be there rooting him on. Knowing that really there’s “No Willoughby on the line.” for the rest of us. But in his final moments Mr. Williams has found his “peaceful, restful place, where a man can slow down to a walk and live his life full measure." In Willoughby… and the Twilight Zone.

Former Titans Well Represented at All Star Time

Fullerton, Calif. - Former Cal State Fullerton All-American left-hander Ricky Romero was chosen as an American League All-Star and participated in the Classic on Tuesday night. Romero is a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Romero, 26, received word in the ninth inning of Sunday's 7-1 win over the Cleveland Indians that he would be replacing Seattle's Felix Hernandez, who is not making the trip to Arizona for the Midsummer Classic at the Diamondbacks' Chase Field.

Bosonst Jon Lester was next in line in Hernadez's absences, but Lester is on the 15-day disabled list, opening the door for the first-timer Romero.

"I'm at a loss for words. It's very exciting. My family is excited," Romero said after Sunday's game in Cleveland.

"I'm especially excited to be representing East Los Angeles and representing Canada."

The southpaw, who played at Cal State Fullerton from 2003 to 2005, is currently 7-8 with a 3.09 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 122.1 innings as a starter. He joined manager John Farrell and MLB home run leader Jose Bautista as Blue Jays representatives in the 82nd annual gathering of the game's best players.

Romero becomes the fifth Cal State Fullerton product to make a major league All-Star roster. Tim Wallach, now a coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was a five-time All-Star third baseman for the Montreal Expos. Phil Nevin was an All-Star in 2001 with the San Diego Padres. Chad Cordero represented the Washington Nationals in 2005 and Aaron Rowand replaced Ken Griffey, Jr., in the line-up in the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco.

ANOTHER ALL-STAR WEEKEND NOTE:
Former Titan All-American outfielder Gary Brown was the starting centerfielder in the 2011 Futures Game on Sunday at Arizona's Chase Field. He was the lone representative of the San Francisco Giants organization in the annual game that pits top minor league prospects against each other in a kick-off of the MLB All-Star festivities.

Brown has been ripping up the California League for San Francisco's Advanced-A affiliate San Jose Giants. In 82 games, Brown is bating .316 with seven home runs and 51 RBI. He also has 21 doubles, six triples and 35 stolen bases.

In addition to his Futures Game appearance, Brown was also a California League Mid-Season All-Star.

In Sunday's Futures Game, Brown was 1-for-2 with a stolen base that led to the U.S. team's third unanswered run. The U.S. Futures won the contest, 6-4.

"I'm the new guy around here, so I am just taking it all in," Brown said.

"I'm having a great time. It's been awesome."

FORMER TITANS AS MINOR LEAGUE ALL-STARS
David Cooper (Las Vegas / Pacific Coast League)
Wes Roemer (Mobile / Southern League)
Erik Komatsu (Huntsville / Southern League)
Gary Brown (San Jose / California League)
Josh Fellhauer (Bakersfield / California League)
Khris Davis (Brevard County / Florida State League)

Council Approves Plan To Develop Coyote Hills

By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

After nearly 40 years of discussion on the future of West Coyote Hills, the Fullerton City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve Chevron Oil's plan to develop the former oil field.

The final vote was taken at 11:15 PM after nearly five hours of passionate and heartfelt pleas from Fullerton residents on both sides of the issue.

The loan dissenting vote was Sharon Quirk-Silva who attempted a last hour amendment to no avail.

55 citizens came forward at the public session with lively comments from residents that wanted the entire area set aside as a natural habitat to people that supported the compromise development plan. Participating in the public session were Fullerton residents of all ages from people who have lived in the city most of their lives to people that just recently moved in.

The development plan, considered a compromise by many, will have Chevron, who has owned the land since 1913, to build close to eight hundred new homes in different price ranges along with leaving approximately 40% of the land as a natural habita, building what Mayor Richard Jones called "Arboretum West" with miles of trails and a restoration of the land to it's natural setting before the oil company started taking crude oil out of the area in the early 1900's.

City Council member Patrick McKinley said it came down for him, the fundamental right for a property owner to be able to do what they want with their land as they see fit.

An archived video from the entire proceedings last night can be accessed through the City's website. We also have a link in the sidebar under our Radio and Television section.

Chevron Should Just Do The Right Thing

By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

Do you know what I am thinking about on the morning of the historic public discussion and vote on what is going to happen to Coyote Hills in Fullerton?

I am thinking about that television ad campaign by Chevron in the 80's. Do you remember the one I am talking about?

Zoom in on an adorable Bear quietly snoring and sleeping with it's cute little cubs as snow lightly falls. The voice over: Would a Company really drill for oil in the dead of winter in North Dakota so that the Grizzlie Bear can sleep through the coldest part of the year....People Do...Chevron.

Why can't the good people of Fullerton get THAT Chevron Oil Company? You know...the warm and fuzzy Chevron. The one with the cute talking cars and the cuddly and fuzzy snoring Grizzlie Bears?

Why do we get the Chevron that wants to sue the city for millions if they don't get what they want and is behaving more like their greedy predecessor, the Standard Oil Company who single-handedly, among other things, along with a tire company dismantled one of the best public transportation systems in the country in the interests of selling more gas, oil, and tires.

We don't need more homes and shopping centers in Fullerton....We can't even fill the houses and stores we have now. If there was one thing that most of the citizens of Fullerton wanted, it was a wide open space to enjoy.

I get it. I'm a home and land owner. I would be upset too if somebody told me I couldn't do what I wanted to do with my land. But, I also haven't extracted millions of dollars worth of crude oil off my property over the past 100 years either.

Just because something is ok and it may be within your lawful right to turn most of Coyote Hills into rows and rows of cookie cutter homes and shopping centers Chevron, doesn't mean it is the right thing to do.

Why can't Chevron just sell the land to the OCTA so the folks in this area can enjoy the last open space in Orange County? Why can't they form a partnership with a group interested in the Quality of Life and keep the land open? Just think, Chevron, if you do that, think of all of the goodwill that will be generated for your company. Maybe you can produce another "Grizzlie Bear...People Do" type commercial.

I divert a little from a lot of people who want absolutely no development on the Coyote Hills property. I would welcome a partnership with Chevron. I don't care if you call it the Chevron Coyote Hills Natural Conservatory. I wouldn't even mind putting a Museum on one end of the land that talks about the impact of oil in the region and charge Five Bucks a head because like it or not, oil is a big part of our history. Maybe a new outdoor ampitheater for concerts and live theater against the natural setting of the Coyote Hills on the very edge of the open space. I wouldn't even mind care if you call it the Chevron Coyote Hills Ampitheater.

The majority of folks in this town want a wide open space to hike and enjoy and share. Is that too much to ask after Chevron has made millions and millions off the property over the years? We're not asking for Chevron to lose money on the deal...just listen and work with the majority of the folks that live here and do the right thing. And the majority wants a wide open space where Chevron used to drill for oil.

And one more thing, Chevron....why was it ok to keep the land open for over a hundred years with no development while you took crude oil out of the property. Where was the desire then to turn one of the last precious open spaces in the county into more urban sprawl?

No matter what your personal position on this matter is...be sure to be there tonight at the City Council meeting and let your opinion be heard. 6:30 PM. City Hall. Be There.

This is one of those important moments in our town's history.

The Boys of Summer End Their Run

Above: The Golden Hill of Fullerton Little League All Star Team turns to show their heartfelt appreciation to their families and friends for their support after falling in the District Championship game on Sunday afternoon. The tournament was held at the Fullerton Sports Complex over the past two weeks.

Story and photos by Allen Bacon
The Daily Bosco/Bosco Fullerton

The Golden Hill of Fullerton Little League All Stars were having a great week at the District Tournament with big wins over Brea on Tuesday, Whittier on Thursday and Murphy Ranch on Saturday to reach the Championship Round against West Yorba Linda.

Needing only one win to advance to the Sectional Tournament next week, WYL looked every bit like a team destined to reach Williamsport for the Little League World Series next month with a 12-1 win over Golden Hill. The game was played at the Fullerton Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.

West Yorba Linda didn't waste anytime getting on the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the first but Golden Hill came back in the second to cut the defecit in half with their only run of the game when Matthew Macias continued his hot hitting in the torunament by driving in Logan Horton with a single down the right field line.

But from that point on, WYL shut the usually potent Golden Hill offense down and put on a hitting and scoring clinic scoring three in the third, four in the fourth and three more in the fifth.

Golden Hills threatened to score in the fifth with two men in scoring position with two outs, but ultimately stranded both runners sending WYLL to Cypress for the Sectional Tournament which starts next week.

In the meantime, there was a nail biter developing in the Junior Division Championship game as Whittier and Golden Hill Junior All stars took a 1-1 tie to the bottom of the last inning(the seventh). With two out, Golden Hill had a runner at second on a double. The runner took third on a surprise steal. Even though the Whittier side claimed their coach had called a time out, the Umpires said they did not hear a call for a time out.

With two out and a man at third, Whittier decided to load the bases to set up a force at any base, but the Whittier catcher left the area behind home plate too soon and the home plate umpire called a balk allowing the winning run to score and for Golden Hill to avenge an earlier loss to Whittier in the tournament.

Because it was Whittier's first loss the two teams will met again on Tuesday night at the FSC for one more game with a trip to the Sectionals for the Junior Division on the line.

Update: The Golden Hill Junior team beat Whittier on Tuesday to advance to the Southern Sectional. Fullerton will be hosting the Sectional Tournament with all games being played at the Fullerton Sports Complex. Golden Hill plays Bellflower at 1 PM on Sat. July 16.

Below: Golden Hill battled to the very end. In the last inning GHLL had two runners in scoring position against West Yorba Linda.