February'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 and those that just like ghost stories. 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 (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff.

THE DATE: February 13th , 2012 (Monday)
THE PLACE: Barney's Beanery - The Original8447 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm to the witching hour

THE GHOST(S):

The "City of the Angels" (and its dark history) is apparently ideal as a back-drop for detective stories since it is home to so many famous fictional detectives (Phillip Marlowe, Easy Rawlins, Quincy, Barreta, Joe Friday, The Three Investigators, etc). Among that crowd, Lt. Columbo (no first name), portrayed by Peter Falk on the popular Columbo TV series that spanned five decades, is perhaps the most beloved Los Angeles-based fictional detective.

...One more thing, when Columbo needed to mull over the clues and figure out who-dun-it, do you know where he would go? He would have a seat at Barney's Beanery, and enjoy a bowl of their chili, and as if by magic the solution would present itself.

Although the Beanery proudly boasts that it has the "2nd Best Chili in Los Angeles," based on a 1960's local chili cook-off (1st place went to The Magic Castle), Barney's chili is tops with Columbo, who claimed to eat chili everyday (sometimes without beans for variety). To underscore the importance of Barney's to Columbo, Burt, the show's fictional proprietor of the Beanery, played by John Finnegan, was one of the very few reoccurring roles of that anthology program that would change its cast with each episode. It is also interesting to note that through most of the TV show's run, Los Angeles' real life chief of police, Daryl Gates, ate chili at the fancier and more up-scale Chasen's restaurant just a few blocks away. Was Columbo's presence at the more down-to-Earth, rough and tumble, ram-shackle juke-joint nearby meant as a statement to emphasize Columbo's "outsider" persona?

Ever since Barney's Beanery opened on Route 66 in 1920, it has always appealed to outsiders and the fringe of our great city, whether it was transients, outlaws, hoodlums, artists, beatniks, hippies, or the lowest of all... screenwriters. Barney's started life as an isolated roadhouse along a dusty highway outside of town, where bar fights were common, and happily that atmosphere still exists today. It is said that singer, Janis Joplin, once cracked a bottle over the head of LA's "Lizard King," Jim Morrison during a dispute here.

Speaking of Jim Morrison, does the ghost of this 1960's rock star, and lead singer of the LA-based band, The Doors, haunt this historic establishment? Is it his ghost that is seen in a white shirt walking past the door of the rooftop office? According to local legend, Morrison was a free spirit during his life, and would occasionally climb up to, and walk along, the rooftops of many of the buildings in that area despite the obvious danger. Also according to local legend, Morrison (in death) seems to be a spirit that moves freely around West Hollywood since other places in the immediate area claim to be haunted by Morrison ghost.

Likewise, who is the phantom in the basement that plays with the levers to the bar's beer system, and is felt pushing past employees as they descend down the stairs? Is this the sad, booze-obsessed spirit of Janis Joplin, who had her last drink at Barney's before going back to her hotel room in Hollywood and overdosing on Heroin?

Or, are these haunted hi-jinx due to a deceased former employee who still lingers at his old workplace? Perhaps, as some believe, it is even a long gone busboy (or rather "busboooo-oy).

Whoever/whatever it is that spends his/her/its after-life taunting the staff is unknown. All we can do is come out, patronize this piece of history, be a part of its history, ...and mull over these possibilities while enjoying a bowl of their famous chili. Perhaps, as if by magic, the solutions (and the apparitions) will present themselves?

Burt: "You know what's your trouble? You don't have much imagination....You always look at the menu, and you always order chili."
Columbo: " I'll have the chili."
Burt: "See what I mean?"
Columbo: "Well, look at it this way, you'll never be disappointed."

(to read about last month's haunted location... )
(to read about the lawlessness of the area... )
(to read about Morrison's ghost... )
http://www.barneysbeanery.com/

GHOULA's Chilling Challenge!

Calling all ghost hunters, paranormal investigators, psychics, sensitives, and those interested in getting a glimpse of the "other side." Whether you are acting alone, or in a team, GHOULA wants you! Whether you are a seasoned pro or this is your first ghost hunt, GHOULA wants you! (If you are none of the above, you may also participate. All are welcome)

If you are up for the challenge, come be a part of history, and solve Los Angeles' first high-profile, unsolved murder. February 1, 2012, will be the 90th anniversary of the death of silent film director, William Desmond Taylor. To mark the occasion, GHOULA is asking the local ghost-hunting community to try to shed new light on this cold case.

1.) In the days leading up to the anniversary, we invite paranormal investigators to investigate the crime scene, the North-Eastern section of the parking lot at 420 South Avarado Street (map), adjacent to Maryland Street, the site of his former home. Hopefully your skills will uncover a new piece of information to add to the discussion, or perhaps even the solution to this historic whodunit.

2.) On the actual day of his Murder (Wednesday, 2-1-12), come and meet-up at 8PM, at the 1920's bar, The Prince, 3198 1/2 W. 7th Street at Catalina Street (look for someone with a square GHOULA button), toast this forgotten film pioneer, and share any evidence you have gathered (proper names, odd words, locations of disturbances, etc.) with people familiar with the nuances of this complicated case (or just come and socialize). The bar is also a few doors down from one of the only buildings connected to the murder that hasn't been torn down to make a parking lot.

25 years before the murdered body of "The Black Dahlia" was found naked in a vacant lot, the country had their eyes on LA, and on the newpaper headlines concerning another strange murder case, involving one of Hollywood's top directors. On the morning of February 2, 1922, William Desmond Taylor's body was found, face down, in his Bungalow (formerly 404-B South Alvarado Street), apparently shot in the back the night before. No cash or anything of monetary value was stolen, but it is said that when the police arrived that morning, studio executives and one of his leading ladies were stepping over the body, tearing the place apart, and burning documents. What they were looking for, or what they destroyed is still a mystery.

Like the Dahlia case, there are easily a dozen prime suspects (including his valet, who may have been his brother secretly pretending to be his employee), and scholars and historians still debate aspects of this case. Over the decades, wild theories incorporating sex scandals, drug use, secret identities, and disguises have also surfaced. Was it even really William Desmond Taylor's body?

Because of the crime-scene contamination, the case is still unsolved, and probably unsolvable... until now.

Good Luck.

Those ghost-hunters that investigate the site, but can not come to the meet-up, please email GHOULA with your results, so we can discuss them that night. Thank you.

For info about the bar...

http://www.theprincela.com/

(below is a diagram of the original layout of the parking lot.)

Heritage Square Ghost Hunt

Where: Heritage Square
3800 Homer Street, Los Angeles (map)
Date: February 4 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30pm - 1:00am
Admission:
Before the 29th: $55.00 (single), $100 (double)
After the 29th: $60.00 (single), $115 (double)

Note: This is not a GHOULA event, it's a ghost-themed event, that GHOULA feels its members should be aware is happening in our great haunted city.

Haunted Orange is hosting this event at Los Angeles' Heritage Square. It is a paranormal investigation open to the public. Ramiro Ramirez (of MUN2 "From Beyond") and Kathryn Wilson (the psychic from A&E Storage Wars) will be leading the investigations. Teams will be broken up into small groups, and it is a fabulous opportunity for enthusiasts to see some real paranormal activity. There are 8 Victorian homes that we will be investigating. Haunted Orange has already had the opportunity to investigate them, and claims they are most definitely haunted.

(Although in years past, Heritage Square officially denied that any of their buildings were haunted, GHOULA has heard privately from employees that two of the historic structures do indeed have very active other-worldly residents. Additionally, Heritage Square was created to preserve a famously haunted Victorian home, which ironically burned to the ground once it was moved to this location.)

Don't miss out on getting to investigate these fabulous haunted Victorian homes! Small groups, 8 buildings! Limited amount of tickets.

(to order tickets... )
(for more details about this event... )
(for more info about Heritage Square... )

Drinking Game: Ghostbusters!

What: A Drinking Game: Ghostbusters!
When: January 21 (Saturday)
Time: 8:00p to 11:00p
Where: The Next Stage Theater
1523 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles (map)
Admission: $15
Age Suitability: 21 and up

Note: This is not a GHOULA event, it is a ghost-themed event, GHOULA feels its members should be aware is happening in our great haunted city.

Ghostbusters performed LIVE on stage as an audience-interactive Drinking Game! Join our cast of talented actors as they perform the entire movie live, and join in as they drink on specific keywords and queues! Great fun for cast and audience, even if a little hard on your liver! 21+ Only!

Show is BYOB, there is a liquor store downstairs...how convenient! Interactive kits available to complete your experience and make you part of the action! Voted as one of the Top 5 things to do in LA by Thrillist.

(to learn more about LA's connection to the movie GHOSTBUSTERS... )