VILLAGE NEWS
Scott Appleby & Kerry ApplebyPayne
LA JOLLA
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Uncovering The Grande Colonial’s haunted history
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www.SDNEWS.com Volume 16, Number 7
E LECTION S 2010
Ballot breakdown Local Propositions
Prop J • Five-year parcel tax expected to generate $50.08 million annually • $98 per year for single-family residences, $60 per year for apartment and condominium units and $450 per year for commercial or industrial properties • Funds from the tax would be distributed to every school in the district at the rate of $150 per student • Could be used by individual schools to purchase supplies, fund vocational education, support music and art programs or and hire teachers
Prop D
La Jolla’s oldest original harbors a colorful past A “ghost log” at The Grande Colonial Hotel reveals many haunting tales shared by hotel guests. Built in 1913, the The Grande is La Jolla’s oldest original hotel, and hotel employees have been compiling the log for nearly 100 years. Courtesy of The Grande Colonial
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BY LAUREN VENTURA | VILLAGE NEWS
suppose if I were a ghost, I certainly wouldn’t mind spending eternity here,” said Leslie Araiza about the Grande Colonial Hotel, located at 910 Prospect St. “There’s nothing that speaks more highly of a hotel than a repeat guest.” The Grande is known for its repeat guests, said the hotel spokeswoman — living, breathing and otherwise. Throughout the hotel’s almost 100year existence, employees have been compiling not only a log its lively history, but tales of its ghostly hauntings as well. It’s a list that runs the gamut, from runof-the-mill accounts of doors slamming during the night to the more bone-chilling reports of children and couples from decades past seen roaming the halls. “I don’t think the majority of the stories we have collected over the years could be crafted by even the most cre-
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San Diego Unified School Board — Area C ative mind. I also think that if ghosts do indeed exist, then a hotel that has nearly 100 years of history would be a likely location for them to reside,” Araiza said. The Grande Colonial’s history dates back to 1913, when it was known as The Colonial Apartments and Hotel. By the 1920s, it had become such a solid enterprise in La Jolla that it was revitalized and redesigned under the direction of George Bane. The project was completed in 1928 and apartments were relocated to the back of the hotel, while the new Grande Colonial structure was erected front and center. Over the years following its debut, The Grande became the hip hangout for Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Groucho Marx, Charlton Heston and Gregory Peck, to name a few. When World War II broke out, The Grande took on a new war-time role by becoming a welcoming home to many SEE COLONIAL, Page 2
Tales from The Grande Colonial ‘ghost log’ • In 2005, a guest was staying in room 508 and having difficulty sleeping. She awoke precisely at 3 a.m. and noticed a presence in the room. She described it as a “heavy feeling” — a “curiosity,” as if she were being watched. She saw a soft glow in the room even though the lights were out and shades were drawn. She saw an image of a young woman with brown hair wearing a light lace dress. Since the incident, she had the name “Abigail” in her head. She also thinks she may have heard the name “Trent.” • Guests in the North Annex of the hotel sometimes complain of noises such as loud voices, doors slamming and heavy footsteps in the wee hours of the night coming from guests in the SEE TALES, Page 2
La Jollans lead contributions to Busby’s campaign U.S. House candidate still has ‘uphill battle,’ expert says BY CLAIRE HARLIN | VILLAGE NEWS In the race for the 50th U.S. Congressional District, La Jollans are the top donors to Democratic challenger Francine Busby’s campaign, giving a total of $71,350 to the candidate, even though they aren’t in her district. The finding is based on a statistical analysis by The Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), an independent nonprofit research group. The center broke down campaign contributions by ZIP code, and in this case, the numbers are representative of either the donor’s home or business address — whichever he or she listed as 92037 when making the
• Would increase sales tax a half-cent to 9.25 cents • Five-year increase expected to generate about $103 million per year • Tax hike is conditional on a package of 10 financial reforms, including soliciting bids to outsource the Miramar Landfill, lowering retiree health care costs and creating new pension plans
contribution. Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray’s top donors came from Rancho Santa Fe, totaling $107,349, according to CRP. La Jollans gave the second-largest amount to Bilbray’s campaign war chest — a total of $53,835. The numbers for both candidates are based on contributions of more than $200 from individuals, as reported to the Federal Election Commission. The numbers do not include money contributed by political action committees. No ZIP code data was analyzed for Peace and Freedom Party candidate Miriam Clark or Libertarian Lars Grossmith. While most of La Jolla falls under Rep. Susan Davis’s District 53, La Jolla Democratic Club President Michael McQuary said a lot of candidates come to La Jolla for support because La Jollans “have a
big heart and really care about the bigger picture.” “They aren’t just focused on their area,” McQuary said. He added that in District 50, 41 percent of residents identify themselves as Republicans versus 31 percent as Democrats. District 53 is shaped like a long arm along San Diego’s coast, extending from Del Mar south to Point Loma, encompassing all of the La Jolla Village, Torrey Pines and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), as well as the skinny coastal strip of Bird Rock. The area east of Bird Rock — from La Jolla Boulevard to Mount Soledad — is in District 50. Both La Jolla and Pacific Beach were split into two districts during redistricting SEE CAMPAIGN, Page 6
John De Beck • Former mentor and teacher of 36 years • Consultant to over 20 school districts • Priorities include improving student achievement, keeping a balanced budget and attracting and retaining talented staff
Scott Barnett • Budget analyst and educator • President of watchdog group Taxpayers Advocate • Former executive director of San Diego County Taxpayers Association • Priorities include reorganizing the district’s finances and shifting power from the school board to neighborhood schools
U.S. Rep. District 50
Brian Bilbray, Republican • 50th District Rep. since 2006 • 49th District Rep. from 1995 to 2001 • Served as Imperial Beach mayor from 1978 to 1985 • Coronado native and former small businessman • Priorities include creating better economic environment for job growth, controlling federal government spending and passing meaningful immigration reform
Francine Busby, Democrat • Appointed Cardiff School Board trustee • Cardiff Education Foundation former president • Casa Theresa Central Guild founder • Professor of women’s studies at California State University, San Marcos • Priorities include reducing health care costs, increasing access to education and amplifying job growth opportunities
More election coverage and voting locations on Page 6