VILLAGE NEWS
BLUE SKY, BLUE OCEAN. SO WHY THE BLUE DEFECIT IN THE REST OF NATURE? PAGE 9
Scott Appleby & Kerry ApplebyPayne
LA JOLLA
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
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La Jolla’s
Grub Sprawl serves up meals for steals in La Jolla
Events to honor boardshaping pioneer nique that has been resurfacing as of late. The 70-year-old surfboard shaper grew up in La Jolla, surfing Windansea Beach with his two older brothers. It was there that he first conceptualized the revolutionary asymmetrical surfboard design based on his discovery that one board would ride better left and another would ride better right. “Standing asymmetrically on your board, your two turns — front side and back side — are different,” he said of his inspiration for the design, which he first built in 1965 and patented in 1967. The idea behind the asymmetrical design is to cater to the surfer’s non-
BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS
linear weighted stance and enhance the rider’s ability to respond with ease in both directions, while also giving the rider speed down the line. Although Ekstrom enjoyed the thrill of surfing — especially on his asymmetrical creations — things got “kind of crowded” at Windansea, and he shifted his focus solely to surfboard design. To test out his prototypes, legendary riders like Richard Kenvin and Ryan Burch pilot the new designs and Ekstrom analyzes the ride and gets feedback from them. “There’s a lot of different things that people are trying to get out of a SEE EKSTROM, Page 5
For one night only, Grub Sprawl La Jolla — a monthly event that dishes out great deals at top restaurants in San Diego — is making a local appearance. From 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 10, participants will indulge in special $5 signature dishes at 10 participating La Jolla restaurants. Award-winning San Diego-based marketing and communications agency Alternative Strategies created Grub Sprawl as a way to bring awareness to the growing restaurant scenes within San Diego communities as well as give patrons a chance to try new dishes at an affordable price. “We were representing the ‘Taste of ’ events and thought these are really unique in that you could taste a lot of food choices,” said Lauren Kennedy, spokeswoman for Alternative Strategies. “This is a bit different in that guests can choose SEE GRUB, Page 10
Grub Sprawl La Jolla Where Photo courtesy of Sacred Craft Expo
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espite the fact that La Jolla native Carl Ekstrom has not hit the waves in a few years, he remains a mover and shaker in surf communities around the world, constantly reinventing the art of surfboard shaping to cater to each surfer’s unique riding style. The master crafter, who has been honored with a multitude of awards throughout his lifetime, is featured in a massive collection of literature and is well known in the surf community for both inventing and relentlessly rejuvenating the asymmetrical surfboard concept — a shaping tech-
‘The Pink Lady’ gets new owner, facelift Pacifica Companies, a San Diego-based real estate developer, owner, investor and investment management company, announced on Sept. 26 it had completed its acquisition of La Valencia Hotel. The company, which has managed the “The Pink Lady” since September last year, also announced plans for extensive renovations to the property. The $10 million worth of planned renovations will include continuing to fund current structural and exterior repairs to the building that began in 2010. New projects slated for the hotel include plans to revital-
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 17, Number 2
GURU
surfboard
BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS
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ize its guest rooms, food and beverage outlets, meeting spaces and spa later this year. “We are delighted to become the stewards of La Valencia Hotel, a true landmark in Southern California,” said Ash Israni, chairman of Pacifica Companies. “As a local company, we know what an important place ‘La V’ has in the community. We’re committed to the future of La Valencia and to ensuring it remains the premier destination in La Jolla.” La Valencia was owned by the Collins family for 65 years before Pacifica began the process of purchasing the property last
year. At the time of the initial sale, the Collins family released statements indicating their desire to sell was due in part to a polo accident suffered by Harry Collins several years ago. Built in 1926, La Valencia sits atop La Jolla Cove in the heart of downtown and has been dubbed a “Hollywood hideaway” for some of the nation’s most elite celebrities. Pacifica owns more than 30 properties in five states, most of which are brand names such as Holiday Inn, Wyndham, Crowne Plaza and Hilton. — Mariko Lamb
to go
• Mediterranean Room at the La Valencia Hotel Prawns a La Plancha 1132 Prospect St.
• The Cottage Overstuffed ravioli 7702 Fay Ave.
• Jose’s Courtroom Trio of street tacos 1037 Prospect St.
• Zenbu Sushi Bar Salmon-nashi poke 7660 Fay Ave., Suite 1
• Prospect Bar & Grill Taylor Farm smoked gouda mac 1025 Prospect St., Suite 210
• Finch’s Wine Bar & Bistro Pistachio-crusted salmon, chocolate French toast sandwich 7644 Girard Ave.
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company House-made spicy hummus and flat bread with Tower 10 IPA taster 1044 Wall St. • Vigilucci’s Ristorante La Jolla Lasagna pugliese, bruschetta con prosciutto e bufala 909 Prospect St.
• La Jolla Brew House Crab cakes & taster of craft beer or soft drink, salt and pepper-seared ahi & taster of craft beer or soft drink 7536 Fay Ave. • Chedi Thai Bistro Grilled Thai pork chop, Massaman curry with lamb 737 Pearl St., Suite 110