La JoLLa Light
Enlightening La Jolla Since 1913
■ MTV’s Real
World coming to Bird Rock Page A7
■ Ex-La Jollan
Vol. 99 Issue 24 • June 16, 2011
Online Daily at www.lajollalight.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 1980
Complications slow fixes on W. Muirlands Drive BY KAtHY DAY kday@lajollalight.com Repairs along West Muirlands Drive to replace a storm water line will keep the road closed through June 17, a city spokesman said late last week. “The damage extends under private property as well as in the roadway so they can’t do a temporary fix,” said Bill Harris of the city’s storm water department. “The water main break complicated
it even more.” Since June 2 when a patched section of the road collapsed in front of Gina Tapper’s home at 1110 W. Muirlands Drive, the street has been closed while repairs are being made. Initial estimates had put the closure at three to four days. Then, while that was being done, first workers hit a gas line and then a water main. The problem began with a 60-foot section of
24-inch corrugated metal storm water pipe that had corroded from the inside and caused the street to sag and then break. Despite the closure — with only residents and their guests permitted on the street — some say they have been enjoying the break from the usual heavy and fastmoving traffic along their street that has become a regular route
SEE MuIRLANDS, A14
Workers continue to repair the damaged pipes where West Muirlands Drive collapsed on June 2. COURTESY
Spotlight on the Class of 2011: La Jolla High Editor’s note: Each year, the Light spotlights a few graduating seniors from each of our local high schools. Here’s a sampling of the Class of 2011 at La Jolla High School. It was compiled by Catherine Sulpizio.
helps write new Sarah Palin tell-all Page B1
■ Hotel La Jolla
getting a makeover Page A17
Residential Customer La Jolla, CA 92037 ECRWSS
Graduates, from left, Rachel De Ponte, Leah Budd, Kayla Bistrong and Veronica Itzkowich show their joy after the ceremony. WILL PARSON
■ Kwamé Badu,18, Mesa Interests: Music production, computer science, lyric writing, having fun, hanging out with friends, listening to rock and rap Accomplishments: Football (Junior Varsity): starting wide receiver and defensive back; feaKwamé tured songwriter Badu for band Nev-
La Jolla School Graduation ■ Graduation Ceremony: Was held Monday at Edwards Field ■ Graduation Event: Was Wednesday night at Disneyland ■ Graduating Class Size: 360 ■ Guest Speaker: Josh Blevins and Victoria Frager eready, audio engineering novice What I liked best about my high school years: All the friends I’ve made and all the kids that supported my music. I also like how much bigger and more mature I have become since freshmen year.
SEE GRADuAtES, A10
Fireworks details falling into place One on one: Mike BY DAVE SCHWAB daves@lajollalight.com Deborah Marengo is feeling a big more confident this week that La Jolla will have a fireworks show — but she still needs a little help from fans of the pyrotechnic display. “Now with cash in hand I’m at $19,176,” Marengo, a board member of the La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation, said Monday. The amount includes a $5,000 donation from Audrey Geisel and the Dr. Seuss Foundation but does not include $5,000 pledged by La Jolla philanthrophist Irwin Jacobs. “I’m a little concerned about some of the commitments not having arrived yet,” said Marengo adding, “I just need to stress the real importance of people making donations: Everyone needs to pledge something.” If the fund tops what’s needed,
Viscuso talks about calling off his plans
the money will roll over to the 2012 celebration, she said. Marengo said this year’s show would be scaled back from last year’s gala presentation. “Because we had difficulty raising enough money last year, and the new costs of the permitting process, we have cut out the Marine Corps band with the staging and sound system required that really moved the show up into the $40,000 range,” she said. Marengo estimated this year’s downsized display would cost $28,000 to $30,000. Applications for all of the necessary permits have been submitted, though those costs can vary and increase over time. “I’ve paid the Water Quality Control
BY DAVE SCHWAB daves@lajollalight.com In the end, it was the continuing recessionary economy that convinced nightclub entrepreneur Mike Viscuso to abandon a gamble he’d undertaken in trying to reinvent Jack’s at 7863 Girard Ave. “It’s so many factors, delays created for me that made me realize, maybe I shouldn’t drop $3 million-plus to remodel and another $1 million to keep the doors open and probably run into the negative for a year or two,” said Viscuso in a recent telephone interview. “It’s real difficult to carry a business in today’s economy without the cash flow.” Since announcing recently that he’d decided not to open Mike’s — an entertainment complex that was to include seven bars, three restaurants and a nightclub — Viscuso said he’s been “getting a lot of calls from customers
SEE FIREWoRKS, A8
SEE VISCuSo, A17