News From Jamul Haven

We're proud to announce that we're the newest members of ILA Chateaux and Hotels de Charme (www.ila-chateau.com). This European organization finds, certifies and promotes super luxury B&Bs and small hotels worldwide. Properties include castles with moats, swiss chalets, and so on. They had only certified three properties in the U.S. and we are proud that we are now the fourth certified property.

We've been increasingly active with professional associations to help build awareness of Jamul Haven. During March we sponsored a table at the San Diego Convention and Visitor's Bureau mixer held at Barona Casino. During April we're hosting an open house "familiarization visit" by convention bureau staff. During May we're hosting a mixer by the San Diego East County Visitor's Bureau, and during June we're hosting a breakfast by the local Chamber of Commerce.

Jamul Haven History, "Gifford's Best" Olives

The age of the olive groves in the Jamacha, Jamul, and Dehesa areas probably dates to just after the 1872 newspaper article. In his February 17, 1973 oral history with the San Diego Historical Society, Edward C. Hall reported:

"The golf club out at Dehesa, you know the one I mean, Sunnyside or whatever it is, that property was a solid olive grove 40 or 50 years ago and was planted back in the 1870s sometime (Hall February 17, 1973).

Remnants of olive groves survive at Singing Hills Golf Course and off Jefferson enroute to Simpson’s Nursery. Several olive trees survive on the Gifford property (now Jamul Haven), as shown in the photo where they stand surrounding the chicken coop.

A 1906 biography of Charles M. Gifford illustrates his importance to helping develop the infrastructure of the olive industry in that early year:

“Conspicuous among the industries contributing to the material development of San Diego may be mentioned the olive factory and pickling and canning factory established by Mr. Gifford in this city upon a very small scale in 1900, the original plant being limited to a small scale in 1900, the original plant being limited to an equipment for the pickling of olives. In 1903 an olive canning plant was added for the canning of the largest olives grown in this state, known as Gifford’s Best. At the present writing 1906 a factory is under process of construction providing a larger capacity than was previously possible. The new brick structure is 100 x 100 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, provided with engines of suitable power and with all the equipment necessary for the proper management of the business upon the extensive scale now established. Competent judges claim the factory, when completed, will be finest in the state for the purposes desired, and already the reputation of the plant has become so widely known that shipments are made from points as far as Stockton and the San Joaquin Valley …” (Guinn, History of California: page 1321)

Romantic Getaway #4: Jamul Haven Romance Packages

We've added a couple of romantic getaway packages to our standard offerings, so this month I'll use this column to highlight those packages. Both are described at http://www.jamulhaven.com/SpecialPackages.html.

Our celebration package is $49 per couple, and includes

One dozen long stemmed roses

Six chocolate covered strawberries

A bottle of iced champagne and two glasses in your room; and

A card with a message of your choice.

Our Romance Package is $149 per couple, and this package is described on the website as follows:

Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or other special occasion by adding a romance package to your stay. The romance package includes:

A candlelight dinner for two (see below for details);

Fresh flowers in your room;

A fruit basket in your room;

A small bottle of iced champagne and two glasses in your room;

A card with a message of your choice;

An hour of private time in the spa surrounded by candles; and

A gift from the facility.

Your private candlelight dinner for two is served on linen with fine china, and includes:

An appetizer and white wine;

Salad with fresh bread;

Soup;

A full Entree served with white or red wine

Desert with cappuccino, espresso, or coffee;

An after dinner brandy, Irish Cream or Johannesburg Riesling;

Cigar if desired

Jazz Music Special

Enjoy a weekend at Jamul Haven plus an evening of Jazz Piano. April 26th Scott Walton will be playing, and May 31 John Coates, Jr. will be playing. Your stay at Jamul Haven includes the concert tickets, shuttle service to the concert (the concert is about 3 miles away from Jamul Haven), and VIP seating. There is no extra charge for this option, just let us know you are interested in the Jazz Package when making your reservations. And of course, our rooms always include happy hour from 5:00 until 6:00 with free drinks and appetizers, plus a full gourmet breakfast each morning.

In This Issue:

Upcoming Local Events

Selected fun San Diego events that are worth a trip.

4/18, Ketner Nights, San Diego's Little Italy. Art galleries in San Diego's art district open their doors and give you a chance to talk to the artists.

4/26-4/27 Artwalk, San Diego's largest art festival.
http://www.artwalksandiego.org/

4/26, Spring Garden Festival, 9AM - 4PM, Cuyamaca college (3 miles away).

4/26, 8PM, Scott Walton Concert Pianist performs at Cuyamaca college.

5/31, 8PM, Legendary Jazz pianist John Coates, Jr. performs at Cuyamaca college.

7/19-7/20 Gay Pride parade and festival http://sandiegopride.org/

Jamul Haven Specials

We are continuing to offer our introductory rate special of $199 per night, holidays excluded, which includes a gourmet breakfast for two cooked to order.

Innkeeper Update

We're close to finalizing a deal that will see William's musical "Eliot" produced this August. More on this to come.

John and Glenda want everyone to know that they are "darn glad to be here." We gave John a CIA ballcap and since then I don't think he's even taken it off to shower.

Elizabeth and Daniel found an apartment in the historic part of Jacksonville FL and have settled into their new duty station.

Regina has started offering private dance lessons in the Jamul Haven disco, so you might be able to pick up some ballet, jazz, or modern dance techniques by watching from the pub.

In The News

For links to articles and reviews, visit http://www.jamulhaven.com/links.html.

Hints from Yesteryear

Hints from "The Everyday Cook-Book," (c) 1889 and found in the Jamul Haven Angel House.

To Brighten gilt frames, take sufficient flour of sulphur to give a golden tinge to about one and one-half pints of water, and in this boil four or five bruised onions or garlic. Strain off the liquid, and with it, when cold, wash, with a soft brush, any gilding which requires restoring. When dry it will come out as bright as new work.

Recipies from Yesteryear

Recipies from "The Everyday Cook-Book," (c) 1889 and found in the Jamul Haven Angel House.

Grilled Fish: First, of course, procure your fish, clean them thoroughly, rub them well with salt, and let them lie for one night, after which hang them in the open air, to dry, in a shady place. In two days they will be ready for the gridiron (grill). Before cooking them take out the back bone and skin them if desired (I never do skin them), then broil till ready. Eat with a little fresh butter.