January's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.” All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have, please wear it so others can find you.

SPECIAL NOTE: GHOULA has reserved what the restaurant refers to as "Toni's Section." (Toni is the resident ghost) So, come out for this unique evening of pizza and ghost stories, and more importantly, giving "Toni" the attention she craves.

THE DATE: January 13th, 2010 (Wednesday)
THE PLACE: Miceli's (1646 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood) map
THE TIME: 8pm to the witching hour

THE GHOST(S):

In 1927, the "Pig and Whistle" opened and was an instant success, exemplifying what we think of today as glamorous Hollywood. After a good run, serving the movie stars of the 1930's and 1940's, they finally closed in the 1950's. What does this have to do with Miceli's Restaurant? Although, in recent years, there has been an attempt to bring the "Pig and Whistle" back to its former glory, if one really wants to experience what it was like to step inside this fabled establishment of the past, all one has to do is walk around the corner, and step through the doors of another fabled establishment.

When the famous Hollywood hot spot was gutted to make room for another occupant (ironically the future home of a low grade pizzeria), the Miceli family pulled all of the hand-carved booths, wall panels, and fixtures out of the dumpsters and fit them (sometimes haphazardly) into their popular pizza parlor. Hence, the many "dancing pig holding a flute" logos inside.

However, this is not the only reason to visit this local landmark. Legend has it, that this was the place where Lucille Ball learned how to make a pizza by tossing the dough in the air for a famous episode of "I Love Lucy."

Since 1949, Miceli's Restaurant (formerly Miceli's Pizza) has been serving great Italian food to the Hollywood community. They were the first pizza joint in tinsel town, and remain the city's oldest Italian restaurant. Now, in it's sixth decade of business, it is no mystery why it is still as popular as ever. Miceli's is the kind of comfortable place that the "blue collar" folks rub elbows with high society. In the past, diners have been surprised by Presidents (Kennedy and Nixon) who have dropped in to enjoy a slice of their famous pizza. You just never know who will show up and sit in the booth next to yours.

However, if a ghost shows up, and sits in the booth next to yours, it can only be "Toni." Antoinette "Toni" Heines went to work at this landmark when it first opened, and she was working there when she died not too long ago, and it seems she is still there keeping an eye on things to this day. One employee told GHOULA that every time she used to walk by him, she would give him a playful poke in the ribs. Although she is no longer with us, he still feels the unmistakable poke from time to time. He feels that it is her way of reminding him that she is still there. He also recalled a time when he was adjusting his tie in a mirror, and he saw (in the reflection) a door behind him slam shut when there was no one around.

In life, it seems she had a bad habit of accidentally dropping drinking glasses. Now, whenever a glass inexplicable slides off of a table or counter, it is blamed on Toni. When these "reminders" happen, the employee involved will go to the stained-glass portrait of her in "Toni's Section," and acknowledge her presence. The staff claims that this simple act, curtails the activity. Though, she is most active at the end of November, especially if no one remembers her birthday (the 19th) or her date of death (the 24th), her spirit seeks attention all year long. So, if you find yourself in Hollywood, craving a slice of pizza, why don't you visit her favorite haunt and say hello. The attention will make Toni very happy.

http://www.micelisrestaurant.com/

(to read more about this location's ghosts...)
(to read about last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)