October 30, 2007
NEIGHBORHOOD SCAN: Hanukkah party open to residents
Neighborhood Scan tells what's happening in the city's neighborhoods. Do you have a news tip on your neighborhood? Call Barbara Giasone at 714-704-3762.
By BARBARA GIASONE
The Orange County Register
ACACIA
As Elaine Socol prepares for the Hanukkah season, she fondly recalls her childhood presentations in religious school in Toronto. In later years, she started her own tradition of writing poems to accompany the gifts she gave to her family.
Yet, one of her favorite memories associated with the holiday season is of the potato latkes prepared by her mother and aunt.
"Their mother died when they were young, so they learned the recipe from someone else," Socol said. "The latkes are usually served with sour cream or applesauce, which is my favorite.
"Hanukkah is all about food," she said.
The public is invited to share the Fullerton version of a children's Hanukkah celebration on Nov. 28 at Temple Beth Tikvah when the temple's Children's Early Childhood Learning Center stages a program under the direction of Miriam Van Raalte.
The 10 a.m. production, sponsored by the Fullerton/North Orange County Chapter of ORT America, will be followed by a continental breakfast for a $5 donation.
For reservations, call 714-776-1529.
The temple is at 1600 N. Acacia Ave.
CAL STATE
Cal State Fullerton's Nutwood Avenue parking structure and architects, AC Martin Partners, received the award of merit from the Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The honor was presented during the AIA 32nd annual Design Awards Gala.
The five-story facility at the corner of State College Boulevard and Nutwood Avenue was completed in 2004 and has space to park 2,500 vehicles.
Because of its size, the architecture was designed to create, large, unobstructed floor areas and features decorative screening that allows for air and light to enter the structure.
In the evening, the building's lighting creates a soft glow to minimize glare and to welcome visitors to the campus's arts district.
The structure was previously honored by the American Institute of Architects Long Beach Chapter, which presented its "Honor Award" for architectural design excellence to AC Martin Partners and the university in 2005.
CHAPMAN AVENUE
Students appearing in the Fullerton Union High School Academy of the Arts fall production, "The Sisters Rosenweig," have more than a passing interest in the play's author, the late Wendy Wasserstein.
To delve into their respective characters in the play – which runs Friday, Saturday, and Nov. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. – students took a trip to the Geffen Theater in Los Angeles to see Wasserstein's final play, "Third."
Afterwards, the professional actors, one of whom knew Wasserstein, conducted a question-and-answer period with the students.
The FUHS performances will be held in the school's Little Theater in back of Plummer Auditorium at Lemon Street and Chapman Avenue.
The comedy is rated PG-13 for its mature themes and subject matter.
General admission is $12; students with ASB cards and senior citizens are $9. Information: 714-879-2877.
COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
"The Woodchip Gang," comprised of the special education staff at Commonwealth Elementary School, will walk as a team in the "Walk for Autism Now" on Nov. 17 in Irvine.
Members of the school's team are Karina Morales, Sye Seang, Lorena Galarreta, Tonya Belleque, Cynthia Garcia, Gretchen Svidal, Theresa Bill, Suzie Vitela, Mary Lou Santos, Amie Haselton and Liz Rivas.
Teachers and parents of previous students will also walk.
Commonwealth has 24 children enrolled in specialized autism classes, Svidal said.
To date, 15 members of the team have raised more than $1,000.
To participate or for information, call 714-440-7705.
EUCLID STREET
The First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton will host its 11th annual Alternative Christmas Faire on Nov. 11 at the church, 838 N. Euclid St. Activities begin at 11 a.m.
The fair gives people an opportunity to celebrate the holiday season by honoring friends or family with gifts supporting organizations that help people in need.
Sixteen organizations will participate, representing both local and international relief groups.
There will also be an opportunity to buy handicrafts from various countries throughout the world.
Neighborhood Scan tells what's happening in the city's neighborhoods. Do you have a news tip on your neighborhood? Call Barbara Giasone at 714-704-3762.