The Geisha House is known for its ethereal decor. Photo courtesy of Dolce Group.

Geisha House is Santa Ana’s modern Japanese restaurant, located on Main Street. Although recently featured by the OC Restaurant Week, this sushi bar and saké lounge can be compared to a uniquely designed club that just happens to sell food.

While walking towards the entrance of Geisha House, the enormous wall photos of Japanese girls in “Harajuku-like” clothing gives off the impression of a clothing store rather than a restaurant.

Geisha House supposedly provides a “sensual, ethereal, mysterious” experience. At least, that’s what it says on the Web site. The techno music was overtly noisy, so it was definitely not sensual or ethereal.

I agree that it’s mysterious. In fact, so mysterious that I couldn’t tell who was greeting me inside because the lighting was too dim. All I heard was, “Hello,” and perhaps, “How are you?” in Japanese as I squinted inside, unable to figure out who was talking to me.

The color scheme was red and black, with round red tables that you typically see in Chinese restaurants. There was a glowing cube-shaped platform and fireplaces within it, large pictures against the wall of more Japanese girls wearing colorfully-layered clothing and quilted iron board canvases displaying Japanese artwork and pictures of geishas.

“If you’re looking for a quiet dinner, then it’s not the right place. It’s club-like,” said diner A.J. Kim, 31.

Set in the atmosphere of a high-class brothel, the Geisha House is supposed to “embrace Japan’s sexual history” and has the goal to “make the client climax,” according to the Web site. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s a unique dining experience that you can give a chance if you’re a weekly party goer who enjoys screaming and shouting at the dinner table.

“The (owners/staff) put a lot of time and effort on the decorations,” said server Lauren Salcido, 22.
Despite its club-like decor, the sweet and crunchy seaweed cucumber salad lightened my mood and made me eager for more. You can never go wrong with food covered in sesame dressing.

But be sure to stay away from the OC Sunfire Roll that includes lobster, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, mango and Wasabi Yuzu dressing. It left a strange fishy aftertaste in my mouth that was hard to get rid of. If you’re not a fan of sushi, try the Maguro Spicy Taru-Taru Crispy Rice with tuna on top as an appetizer.

Since the small-portioned food left my stomach half-empty, the cinnamon gelato was next. It tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

The customer service was similarly impeccable. The server was attentive and genuinely cared to provide a good dining experience.

“I try to be as present and personal as possible so they (customers) feel like a part of our family and friends,” Salcido said.

Photo by Skyler Blair for The Daily Titan. From left: Claudia Ochoa, 26; Gabrielle Delatorre, 25; and Liz Ochoa, 20; chatting beneath the artwork of Barbara Godoy during an early evening dine in at The Crosby.

Nestled on the outskirts of Santa Ana’s Artist District is The Crosby, one of the area’s newest establishments progressively making a name for itself among fine diners, local artists and music lovers alike. The Crosby will be entering its two-year anniversary April 2 and fine arts student at Cal State Fullerton and General Manager Dante Parel has been there from the very beginning. He sat down for a few minutes to chat about how his expertise helped shape the restaurant/bar/bookstore and how it has evolved into what it is today.

The Crosby was the brainchild of Marc Yamaoka, Phil Nisco and Chris Alfaro, three young entrepreneurs who are musicians and artists themselves. Parel met the current owners while working at The Lab in Costa Mesa. His experience in fine dining led the three owners to decide to let him in on their audacious plan.

“I have been working in the restaurant industry for about 8 years, which is one of the reasons why they brought me on, but I have never opened my own restaurant,” said Parel. “So we are all kind of learning as we go. I worked at French 75 and Culinary Adventures, which is a little more higher-end … a lot of French cuisine. I’m a big fan of French cuisine, so I loved working there. Just from my background of working as a server and the things I learned from that, I was able to get my foot in the door. Right when we opened it was a collaborative effort with myself and all the staff.”

Parel explained that the owners had really no true experience in owning and operating a restaurant going into this project. They are all “musicians, artists, graphic designers and clothing designers,” Parel explained, which is why they thought it would be a good idea to bring their ideas together and make a place that could serve as an artistic community – with the addition of delicious food and spirits.

The Crosby began with the notion of serving gourmet pizzas and a few pastas as well as a late night bar that served beer and wine, but has grown since then.

“That was the idea when we opened but I think it has morphed into something new. We have (added) a very nice menu. We have two menus now: The chef’s menu, which is more creative culinary dishes and the hidden gems like filet mignon, and right now we have a really good pork tenderloin cheese purees,” Purel said.

If that hasn’t already gotten your mouth watering, The Crosby also offers more of a diner’s menu with affordable items such as ‘the starving artist grilled cheese,’ which has gruyere cheese, sautéed balsamic mushrooms and a tomato shooter for only $5. They also cater to a vegan crowd with a selection of items like the ‘chili cheese fries’ consisting of “meatless” ground beef, kidney beans, black beans and tomato for $5.

Parel explained that The Crosby has always been a kind of hide-away from public view and when they first opened most business was generated via word of mouth. From the outside, you might not recognize that it is a restaurant at all. Once inside, it has a quaint ambiance, resembling a 1920s New York pub.

“When the owners were designing the place, they were modeling after the old speak-easy style. The whole bar is made out of wood so it has that antique feel to it,” said Parel. “Now that we have been here longer it has caught on and we have this logo on the front window and people come in and ask us about it, but there are a lot of people who still don’t know about it because we don’t have a big sign outside. In some ways it works to our advantage because people feel that it’s intimate and their personal spot.”

And it’s this quiet and intimate atmosphere that attracts many patrons during the dinner hours. But don’t be fooled, The Crosby turns into a bumping venue blasting music across Broadway, bringing in the younger late night crowd to listen to a smorgasbord of musical genres, from up-and-coming local musicians and DJs.

“On Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can hear punk, garage and psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll,” Parel said. “Thursdays through Saturdays you get everything from hip -hop to electro to soul – more of a dancing vibe – and every Friday is Obey Radio.”

In addition to the local sounds, one can find an ever-changing assortment of local artwork as well. Currently on display is a piece by Barbara Godoy. Also, every third Tuesday of each month The Crosby holds Trifecta, where artists display their works throughout the restaurant. There is also the Obey sponsored billboard directly above the door which changes frequently as well. The current billboard is a provocative design created in collaboration with some artists from To Die For and Sid’s Tattoo.

The Crosby has grown a great deal in its short time and has already shown itself to be one of Santa Ana’s hidden night spots where locals know they can find an excellent mixture of music, art and good food.

Photo by Juliana Campbell/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Santa Ana residents rallied together at City Hall Feb. 16 to discuss the ban created by the city to close medical cannabis dispensaries to patients in need of medical marijuana.

The city sent letters to Santa Ana landlords operating cannabis dispensaries citing city code violations for lack of a business license.

“Patients Choice Collective Association (PCCA) offers a safe place to access medical cannabis,” said Matthew DeGroat, president of PCCA. “We will only accept patients with a doctor recommendation.”

The ban created by the city of Santa Ana has affected PCCA, one of the many medical cannabis dispensaries, which will be forced to move to a new location. PCCA offers confidential access to doctor recommended medical marijuana.

“We keep away from schools, residential areas and from negative attention. I came in to this business trying to help people, I did not want to spend my time fighting in court,” DeGroat said.

Business licenses are not offered everywhere throughout the state of California — only in designated areas.

“In Los Angeles County they are able to get a license,” said Bob Guedea, business owner of BNT Medical Collect. “I hope they file an injunction and get some regulation so we do not waste people’s time.”

Tommy Montejano, co-owner of BNT Medical Collect, said with five heart attacks, six bypass surgeries and his insides completely taken out, he is much better with medical cannabis than pills.

“I have been on Norcos, Vicodin and other pharmaceuticals that made me worse. The pills have made me schizophrenic, paranoid and nauseous. Medical Cannabis makes me feel much better.”

The worry for some people is that allowing marijuana to become a medical product would send the wrong message.

“Pills are going to damage your organs and some people are just not a pill people, I am not a pill person,” said Emiliano Santellen, a patient for the collectives. “After my car accident, I have had two neck surgeries. They prescribed me pills which gave me a stomach ulcer and made me loopy. After smoking medical cannabis, I was still able to function and felt relief immediately.”

Medical marijuana isn’t just a powerful painkiller, but is also useful in promoting appetite and managing nausea.

“If we close down medical cannabis dispensaries, then people are going to go elsewhere for it, such as the streets. Older people are coming to dispensaries for alternative medication as well to substitute pharmaceutical drugs that could cause serious damage or even kill you,” Santellen said. “That is just not right and it’s dangerous. Something needs to be done so we can help people once again.”

Jessica Shekell, 22, has been released on bond as of 6:04 p.m. Dec. 15, 2009. Her pre-trail hearing is set for Feb. 26, 2010. Photo courtesy of the Orange County District Attorney's Office

Jessica Shekell, 22, a Cal State Fullerton sociology major, has been charged with 12 felony counts related to a fatal car crash that occurred on Oct. 26.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office stated the following via email:

“Shekell’s vehicle and the victims’ vehicle were totaled. Sally Miguel was pronounced dead at the scene. Patricia, who was riding in the front passenger seat, was transported to Western Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 4:20 a.m. Shekell is accused of causing the blunt force injuries that killed both victims. Mary and Sara Miguel suffered internal injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.”

Shekell’s arraignment was held Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.; her pre-trial disposition has been set for Feb. 26 at 8:30 a.m in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton, stated the Orange County District Attorney’s office via email.

Shekell was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more.

An email from the Orange County District Attorney’s office stated her blood alcohol level to be .26 percent approximately 45 minutes after the collision, more than three times the legal limit.

The Superior Court of California’s County of Orange Web site stated she has been charged with the following:
Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, 2 counts.
Inflict great bodily harm, 8 counts.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with injury, 1 count.
DUI with BAC of .08 percent or more causing injury, 1 count.

“We added the Great Bodily Injury enhancement to the charges as enhancements to the sentence,” said Susan Price, Deputy District Attorney.

Although Shekell has been charged with 12 felony counts, the eight inflict great bodily harm counts are sentencing enhancements, not criminal charges; to which the defendant can accept or deny, rather than plead guilty or not guilty to.

“You can deny or accept sentencing enhancement charges, however, you plea guilty or not guilty to criminal charges,” said Price.

“A sentencing enhancement is just that, an enhancement to the sentence, that if the defendant is found guilty of the charges against them, would increase their maximum possible sentence,” said Farrah Emami, spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

If found guilty on all accounts, Shekell may face a maximum sentencing of 19 years and eight months in state prison.

“The sentencing scheme can be confusing, so it’s hard to get into detail about how 19 years and 8 months is the maximum sentence, but we looked at what under the law is the maximum sentencing for each charge,” said Price. “You can be convicted of multiple crimes, but you may not necessarily be punished for all of them, because some of those crimes can be merged.”

Shekell pled not guilty or denied the charges on the above counts.

She was arrested Tuesday, but was released on bail from the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana at 6:04 p.m. today, stated the Orange County Sheriff’s Web site.

Her bail was set at $150,000.

Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Click here for background on the crash.

Click here to view the criminal complaint.

Daily Titan Staff Writer Beatriz Fernandez and Daily Titan Asst. News Editor Patrick Cowles contributed to this post.

Human Race cast members Casey Kimble, left, Scotty and Chris Froehler stand shocked following their floorshow scene as Rocky, Columbia and Brad Majors. Photo courtesy of Brian Moreno.

Scotty leads three different lives.

Like Madonna or Cher, Scotty notoriously goes by one name.

Scotty, 52, can still tap circles around any pop starlet.

Scotty has worked with 11 Academy Award winners – from Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker to Peter Owen who did make-up for “Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.”

Scotty owns eight of Elvira’s gowns.

“And the funny thing is they all fit,” he said.

Scotty is a professional female impersonator. “Don’t you dare call me a drag queen,” he said in jest. “I arrive at the show as a man … and afterward, I take the make-up off and go home. I get no sexual fulfillment out of it.”

In that regard, the only thing Scotty says he finds great satisfaction in is a standing ovation. “I would take that over a huge paycheck any day,” he said.

For performances, Scotty takes on such roles as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Bette Davis, John Lennon, George Michael, Austin Powers and Marilyn Manson.

He can be seen in such films as “The Birdcage” and “The Newlydeads,” alongside then-unknown Doug Jones with whom Scotty remains friends.

In 1987, Voyeuristic Intention, a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” cast based at the Rialto Theater in South Pasadena, asked Scotty to play Janet.

As with Rocky Horror casts, performers dress up as the characters in the movie and mimic the actions happening on screen as the movie is projected behind them. Audience members often shout insults mocking the film, and throw props such as rice during a wedding scene or toilet paper rolls when Dr. Scott makes his entry into the film. This late night tradition dates back to 1975.

Scotty decided to accept the role and was amused that the audience was still unaware that the movie’s heroine was being played by a man that evening.

They exploded in surprised roars at curtain calls when Scotty ran out, doing a flip with his shirt hanging open.
The rest is Rocky Horror history with Scotty eventually emerging as the gold-sequined Columbia for Dark Refrain, the third generation of the Rialto Theater cast. The theater holds the record as the longest run of Rocky Horror in Southern California.

Flash forward to present day when promoters/producers for the Yost Theater in Santa Ana tapped Scotty to direct a Rocky Horror cast.

“I have hand-picked this cast,” Scotty said. “My main Frank (N. Furter) has been doing Rocky Horror for 30 years.”
Scotty’s cast, Human Race, performs the first Saturday of every month. They debuted on the Fourth of July.

“We are called Human Race, not only because it’s a line from the movie, but because it leaves us open for every walk of life,” Scotty said. “We’re colorblind.”

Human Race’s cast members exhibit all sorts of diversity. A Frank N. Furter understudy is a school teacher. The cast’s Rocky is a professional stuntman. Another cast member cleans aquariums for a living.

“I look at (the cast) and I see so much in them,” Scotty said. “I’m leaving the door wide open for anyone who wants to work.”

Since the Yost Theater is more for live performances, Human Race has an issue unique among Rocky Horror casts.

“It’s not a movie theater,” Scotty says. “It’s 120 feet from the front row seats to the screen. We have had to change our blocking in order to bring the movie to the audience.”

Scotty said he runs Human Race as though they are at the Radio City Music Hall.

“We give the audience a couple pre-shows before the main event. Where most Rocky Horror casts do a pre-show that has something to do with Rocky, we don’t. We step outside the box which keeps adding to the open door factor, which in turn keeps the show fresh and new so you never know what to expect,” he said.

While many Rocky Horror casts strive for screen accuracy, in that they try to get their costumes, props and movements exactly like the movie, Scotty encourages his actors to ad-lib.

“We respectfully poke fun at the movie,” he said. “If I were to do it screen accurate, it would be boring.”
Human Race is “itching to do a theme night,” and may do so after the first of the year.

In the future, Scotty said he would like to direct plays and musicals at the Yost Theater starting with “The Rocky Horror Show,” the British stage musical on which “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is based.

Human Race’s next show is Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11:30 p.m.

The Yost Theater is located on the Fiesta Marketplace Promenade at 307 N. Spurgeon St. in Santa Ana.