Lights out. The historic Heritage Park Inn in Old Town has lost its lease and closed its doors. The final overnight guests checked out last Tuesday.
The only visitors now are stopping to give hugs to operators Nancy and Charles Helsper and to buy antique furnishings from the two Victorian villas the couple have operated as an inn for 16½ years.
Ken and Melinda Vallone of Carlsbad purchased the bed in the Victorian Rose Room, where they spent their honeymoon and have stayed on numerous anniversaries since.
Los Angeles architect Brian Cravens, who chose a different room on each of his many stays, asked to buy the “hidden” attic door painted to look like a wardrobe.
Adriene Vinnard, who stayed in the Turret Room during her honeymoon and this year on her anniversary, is getting the room's door plaque as a gift from the Helspers. Frequent customers Caryl and Ron Fox returned Saturday to buy the sheets they had slept on last weekend in the Garden Room and other souvenirs. The sale runs through Sunday.
Nancy Helsper calls it a bittersweet time – bitter because of the sudden 30-day notice from the county, which is seeking a master leaseholder for the seven historic buildings in the park, and sweet because of the friends and outpouring of support.
The Helspers actually fell into their innkeeping career at Heritage Park when they first visited the inn, then in bankruptcy, 16½ years ago to buy an antique canopy bed. They ended up buying the business, as well.
Nancy Helsper sold that bed Sunday, but she is saving a few keepsakes – an antique mirror, a crystal dinner bell, an embroidered pillow that says “I love you” and guest journals from every room.
Favorite cities
San Diego starred as a top holiday travel destination in Travel & Leisure magazine's “America's Favorite Cities” survey, scheduled for the October issue. In other categories, San Diego was a runner-up at best.
The city ranked second, behind Miami, for “Most Attractive People”; second, behind Honolulu, for “Best Weather”; second, behind Orlando, for “Best Family Vacation”; third for “Public Parks and Access to Outdoors”; and fourth in three categories, “Relaxing Retreat,” “Cleanliness” and “Athletic/Active People.”
San Diego's worst feature: “Affordability,” where it ranked 19th out of the 25 cities evaluated. No surprise there.
Coming home
Richard “Ric” Grenell, a former spokesman for Mayor Susan Golding who became a diplomatic mouthpiece at the United Nations, is returning to Southern California.
Grenell, after serving as a spokesman for four U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations, is resigning Sept. 29 to take a job as a senior vice president and communications director at DaVita, an El Segundo health care company.
However, he soon could return to the East Coast, suggested reporter Stewart Stogel of Newsmax.com, an online news magazine. Should Sen. John McCain be elected president, Stogel said Grenell is on a short list for consideration as the next State Department spokesman.
San Diego scene
Comedian Paula Poundstone has agreed to headline a comedy fundraiser at The US Grant hotel on Thursday for the Challenge Center, which aids people with physical disabilities. Poundstone has an adopted child with disabilities. . .
Jimmy and Kathy DiMatteo, owners of Jimmy Love's and Visions restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, have headed to Eastlake for their third venture. Nico's Steak & Chop House opened last week in Otay Ranch Town Center. It's named after their son Nico, who turns 5 this month.
To keep peace with Nico's sister, Isabella, 7, the DiMatteos named a dessert on the menu after her. So far, at least in the youngsters' eyes, Isabella got the best deal, their father reports.
Diane Bell's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fax items to (619) 260-5009; call (619) 293-1518; or e-mail to diane.bell@uniontrib.com.
