VILLAGE NEWS LA JOLLA
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mosaic of businesses at THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010
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www.SDNEWS.com Volume 15, Number 10
7661 Girard BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS he unassuming white brick building located at 7661 Girard Avenue holds much more inside than what appears to the eyes of casual passersby. Two art galleries, a highend showroom for Italian mosaic tile and a fitness center are just some of the treasures packaged in the well-groomed building labeled “Art + Design.” 7661 Girard Ave. is an address where creativity, physical well-being, design savvy and flourishing business falls under one roof.
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The above photos illustrate several businesses sharing the address 7661 Girard Ave. From bottom, clockwise, the inside of the Joseph Bellows Gallery, the varieties of mosaic tiles crafted by Tuo Sogno Bisazza and the shop’s employee, Brittany Hartgrove, and the outside façade of the building are only a few attributes of the designsavvy block of businesses.
Tuo Sogno Bisazza On the building’s bottom floor is an independently owned, high-end showroom featuring world-renowned Bisazza glass tiles and handmade semiprecious stone slabs by Caesarstone. Tuo Sogno Bisazza adheres to the ancient tradiSEE GIRARD, Page 3
More details surface in Jeanne Jones robbery Officials say crime was ‘very sophisticated’ BY NEAL PUTNAM | VILLAGE NEWS A judge increased bail from $350,000 to $1 million on Nov. 10 for each of four men suspected in the Nov. 5 home-invasion robbery of La Jolla cookbook author and philanthropist Jeanne Jones. Deputy District Attorney C.J. Mody told San Diego Superior Court Judge Richard Whitney all four men are residents of San Bernardino County and they committed “a very sophisticated crime.” He said the men had no ties to San Diego, making them a flight risk. Mody said a caretaker, Dorta Jochum, heard a knock at the door around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 and saw a man outside holding a single rose. The man said, “I have a flower for Jeanne Jones” and Jochum opened the door. Mody said the men then punched and
hit Jochum in the face and she was violently knocked to the floor. At least two other masked men then burst inside and, at gunpoint, ordered Jones to open a safe containing jewelry in an upstairs bedroom. At gunpoint, Jones gave the men gold, jewelry, rings and watches, which were valued at $30,000, according to the prosecutor. Police later recovered the jewelry. All four men are charged with robbery, residential burglary, felony assault, elder abuse and receiving stolen property. They all pleaded not guilty. Mody said they face 20 years in prison if they are convicted of all charges. Thomas Walter Clark, 41, Hector Guerra, 30, Aaron Jacob Espinoza, 23, and Miguel Ocegueda, 23, all waived havSEE JONES, Page 7
Russell the electric giraffe and Lindsay Lawler, the robot’s owner and operator get ready to participate in the 2010 La Jolla High School Homecoming parade on Nov. 12. DON BALCH | Village News
Electric giraffe lights up LJHS Homecoming parade Named Russel, the robot has received nationwide acclaim BY MARIKO LAMB | VILLAGE NEWS The La Jolla High School (LJHS) class of 1960 Homecoming Committee featured a 17-foot, 1,700-pound fully functional robotic giraffe as its entry in the LJHS Homecoming parade this year. Russell the interactive electric giraffe, walks, talks, plays music, wiggles his ears and responds to touch through sensors on his nose. Having been featured on the Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, MythBusters and in Popular Science magazine, the giant giraffe represents more than just the legacy of the Class of 1960, but also that of one tech-savvy San Diegan and his family. Lindsay Lawler, mastermind behind Russell, operated the robot during the parade with the assistance of cousin Boone Brabon and Boone’s son, George. George, a senior at LJHS and president of the school’s robotics club, will graduate in May — 50 years after his grandmother Sandy Shrosbree, who was a cheerleader SEE GIRAFFE, Page 4
Salk researchers make breakthrough discovery about mental disorders. See page 2. Photo courtesy of Paul Burlingame
Jeanne Jones attends the Arc of San Diego fundraiser in March with her husband, Don Brietenberg. Jeanne was a major supporter of the event, which is one of the largest fundraisers in San Diego. VINCENT ANDRUNAS | Village News