Want to feel right at home in the city of Fullerton, instead of as though you just arrived from another planet? One good way to feel in the loop is to keep abreast of local events and occurrences which make the city's pulse tick. We're not a community where woodworking auctions and hunting days are common. No, we live in the middle of Orange County, one of the most distinct and even state defining communities in the entire United States. So understanding the community means understanding the news, and why some stories make the headlines more than others.

The first thing you will notice when looking at any publication out of Fullerton is that the arts tops the headlines. There may be a front page story on a new car dealer supply store which opened up and had a break in, but for the most part what is happening in the community is arts. We have several dozen smaller artistic venues for those who work with the written word, music, sculpture, paint, and other mediums to communicate a deeper message. In fact, some of the most important artists in several musical genres hail from right here in Fullerton, including Gwen Stefani and punk band Social Distortion.

The stereotyping person might make the jump from our artistic roots to the gay and lesbian rights movements the city is known for, and that person would be right. However, we think it's safe to say that our city created this stereotype, and we're proud of it. The activities of the important activists in our city, whether they work in nursery supply or are off to an Ivy League school, are part of what defines the community.

The desire to go green and to sustain the environment is another way in which Orange County has helped shape the identity of California as a whole. The research conducted at various labs in the schools of the city have helped measure the impact of biosolids application on crops, the pressure fossil fuels put on our atmosphere, and other important environmental factors. And the citizens of Fullerton are usually among the first to embrace positive ecological changes.

So whether you are reading about a protest over a new boiler water treatment chemical or a door to door campaign to raise awareness over same sex marriage, remember that these activities define our community. Understanding them at the source will help you feel more at home here.