Adventures in Grave Hunting by Lisa Burks

Pioneer Cemetery's Ghost Tour Fundraiser Oct. 29-30

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & L.A. MISSION COLLEGE DRAMA CLUB DEBUT GHOST TOUR FUNDRAISER AT PIONEER CEMETERY, OCT 29-30

How much do I love the San Fernando Pioneer Memorial Cemetery? Whole lotta! See pictures from a tour that the fabulous Jacky Walker gave my friends and me in May here. Next month they're having a fun and unique fundraising event to benefit their important lost grave identification project. Can't wait! Save the date, here's the details:

In a celebration of Sylmar’s rich history and lore, the San Fernando Valley Historical Society and the Los Angeles Mission College Drama Club will debut “Voices of Pioneer Cemetery: Flashlight Ghost Tour” a Halloween weekend performance featuring live historical reenactments and phantasmagorical instillations.

Performances will be from 6 p.m.-12 a.m., Friday, October 29 - Saturday, October 30 at the historic San Fernando Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, 14451 Bledsoe St., Sylmar California. 

“For the first time since the cemetery closed in 1939, we will hear and see dramatic interpretations about some of our local citizens who led productive lives here in the Northeast Valley,” according to Jacky Walker, co-chair of the historical society’s Pioneer Cemetery committee. “Our ghost tour is not a spooky show or haunted house, so don’t expect to be chased by ghouls. Do expect to be engaged, unsettled, fascinated, moved, and hopefully more involved in the community and all our rich local history.”

Voices of Pioneer Cemetery is written and directed by Guillermo Avilés-Rodríguez, professor of Theater/Cinema at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar. This walking tour will feature dramatic portrayals of some of Pioneer Cemetery’s resident citizens, and historic/ghost scenes in the classical theatrical tableau vivant (living statue) style.

“We are excited to bring this original artistic production to the community at such a unique historical venue,” said Avilés-Rodríguez. “Our actors are working hard to make their portrayals and scenes hauntingly memorable. We anticipate a sell-out crowd, so secure tickets early.”

Tickets are available through Drama Club members or by order form on the historical society’s website.  Admission is $20 before October 15, and $25 thereafter. No children under age seven will be admitted. Tours will launch every 30 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour concluding at midnight.

The San Fernando Pioneer Memorial Cemetery is the second oldest cemetery in the San Fernando Valley, and contains the unverified remains of more than 600 local citizens whose graves are largely unmarked due to long-term neglect and vandalism. The cemetery is currently undergoing an archaeo-geophysical survey to determine where lost graves are located so the historical society can proceed with further preservation.  Proceeds from this event will benefit the lost graves discovery project.

The cemetery is located on Foothill Boulevard at Bledsoe Street between the Roxford and Polk Street exits off the 210 Freeway. (MAP) For additional information and group reservations, call (818) 970-1286 or (818) 365-5860, or email [email protected].

God Loves Everyone, Including Ronnie James Dio

The life and music of heavy metal music legend Ronnie James Dio will be celebrated with a public memorial at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills this Sunday, May 30th at 2pm at the cemetery's Hall Of Liberty. The celebration, which I hear could draw upwards of 2,000 to 5,000 people and will include a ton of music, is "open to all of his friends and fans from around the world" according to the announcement on his official website. 

Ronnie James Dio (Image Courtesy of MetalMartyr.com)

The hate-monger cretins at Westboro Baptist Church seem to think that includes them and their ridiculous protesting.

Well isn't that special?

"I would imagine, if they do show up, there is going to be a problem," commented guitarist Slash via his Facebook and Twitter.

Ronnie's wife, Wendy, responded succinctly via Ronnie's website: "Ronnie hates prejudice and violence! We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know. We only know how to love someone we know!"

Wesboro's website appears to be down as of this writing. Thankfully, Ultimate-Guitar.com captured the illiterate ramblings of the Fred Phelps clan on why RJD is a target. My favorite: "his fellowship with those pentagon (sic) necklace wearing freakish band members." All those protests at war hero funerals seem to be adding to their inane confusion.

The Phelps Family. ORLY? Sez you. (News Photo)

Also at issue: "the little finger horn thing"....

Just like Grandma (Image Courtesy Hard Rock Hideout)

Technically, it's called corna, Italian for horned hand and traditionally used to ward off evil, which might come in handy this weekend. Read more about the history of the corna at The Devil's Horn's: A Rock And Roll Symbol, an informative Ultimate-Guitar.com page that sets the record straight:

As (Ronnie) himself put it in a 2001 interview “I was in Sabbath at the time. It was a symbol that I thought was reflective of what that band was supposed to be all about. It's not the devil's sign like we're here with the devil. It's an Italian thing I got from my Grandmother.”

Sources in my underground network tell me that a private funeral service will be held prior to the public memorial and that Ronnie will be entombed in a sarcophagus in the FLHH Courts of Remembrance section at an undisclosed date and time.

I don't know which sarcophagus but the photo below shows a portion of said courts. The sarcophagus on the right was inaccurately rumored to have been purchased for Michael Jackson last summer. A recreation of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus also is here.

Update 5/30: Ronnie's private funeral was held yesterday and it has been confirmed that his casket will be at the public memorial today. Expect to see many stars from the heavy metal world in attendance. Later, it's been confirmed, he will be entombed in the erstwhile Jackson Three Children sarcophagus in the Courts of Remembrance.

Good news to fans who wish to pay respects to him in the future. Nearby notable crypts include Sandra Dee, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, Isabel Sanford, Morey Amsterdam, Freddie Prinze Sr., George Raft, Liberace, Charles Laughton, Andy Gibb, Lou Rawls and Bette Davis.  Read more about this specific sarcophagus from a story I wrote last summer.

I've sat under this particular Jesus many tmes and never once did I pick up the vibe that God hates anyone. Just sayin', Fred.

Since Forest Lawn is private property, don't expect to see Westboro anywhere near the Hall of Liberty. The closest they can get is outside the gates on Forest Lawn Dr. where they'll be under the jurisdiction of the LAPD. And motorists.

I'll be tweeting updates from the memorial, so stay tuned.

Ronnie passed away on Sunday evening, May 16th, in Houston, after a valiant six-month battle against stomach cancer. A tour was canceled after his diagnosis in November but he planned to return to making music once he'd beaten the disease. Click here to see an interview he and Wendy did in March with 39News in Houston as he was undergoing chemotherapy.

Wendy has asked that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund" ~ send checks or money orders made out to the organization c/o Niji Entertainment Group, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #837, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. Credit or debit card payments may be made via PayPal via a direct link on Ronnie's official site.

A limited amount of Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout t-shirts will available at the memorial for a minimum donation of $25.00 each. All proceeds from the shirts will go to the charity. (Cash and checks only, no credit or debit cards for this on-site fundraiser.)

Another worthwhile charity to consider is Children of the Night, dedicated to assisting children between the ages of 11 and 17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for food to eat and a place to sleep. Wendy is the current chair of its board of directors.

I believe in a Rock 'N Roll Heaven. Rock on Ronnie and rest in peace.♥

Crank it. Video courtesy of MetalRocker77:

Día de Los Muertos 2009

My friend Fifi and I had a terrific time at the 10th Annual Los Angeles Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival held yesterday at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. ~ Wikipedia

This is a decidedly joyous celebration that centers around the belief that the souls of all loved ones return from their netherworld destinations (Heaven, Hell or Purgatory) to this world in order to rejoice together with living. There is no crying on Day of the Dead. Per elders, "the path back to the living world must not be made slippery by tears."

For more information, please visit MexConnect for a wonderfully insightful series of articles.

Here a few photos I snapped to give you an idea of the beauty we saw. Loving, detailed altars, gorgeous artwork, the main stage that was filled with music and dancing, people in costumes, etc. Truly an event not to be missed by anyone who is interested in cemeteries and death culture in general.

Main stage on the Fairbanks Lawn

Administration Building lit up and surrounded by celebrants

The Cathedral Mausoleum was transformed into an art gallery


One of the many beautiful, heartfelt altars honoring a dearly departed loved one

Participants wearing traditional costumes


The Clark Mausoleum aglow in the spirit of the day

See all my photos of the day archived on Flickr.

Lancaster Cemetery's Civil War Veteran Graves to be Dedicated

Event: Civil War Veterans' Grave Dedication
When: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Lancaster Cemetery, 111 E. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA

 

The Sons and Daughters of Union Veterans, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Lancaster Cemetery District are cooperating to host a dedication of two newly acquired cemetery monuments for Pvt. James Madison West, Co. E, 115^th Illinois Infantry, USA, and Sgt. Morgan Price, Co. F, 10^th Texas Cavalry, CSA. 

In addition to members of these groups, local reenactors in period attire and members of the general public are encouraged to join in this special ceremony.  A mixed firing party, composed of uniformed men from each side, will fire rifle volleys at each grave site, with each set of volleys followed by a cannon shot.

For information, contact Dayle DeBry at the Lancaster Cemetery (661) 942-6110.  She can be reached on weekdays before 2 p.m.

The Vampira Show: Tribute To Late Horror Legend's Life, With Dana Gould

Photo courtesy of E-gor's Chamber of TV Horror Hosts.

Tickets are $10, but you can get a 50% discount through Gold Star Events, plus a small service fee.

Here's the details:

The Vampira Show: Tribute To Late Horror Legend's Life, With Dana Gould
Saturday, April 5 at 8pm
The Steve Allen Theatre
4773 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Steve Allen Theater presents The Vampira Show, a tribute to the legendary Vampira. Born Maila Nurmi, Vampira was the first TV horror film hostess, and her acting resume includes Ed Wood's camp classic Plan 9 From Outer Space. The show features comedian and long-time Simpsons writer Dana Gould, surf/garage band The Ghastly Ones, and much more. Proceeds benefit the Maila Nurmi Fund, an attempt by fans to get the late actress interred in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Considering that she's already buried, I guess the money is going toward the planned memorial statue.  Regardless, should be interesting and the price is right, so see you there.

Evergreen Cemetery Walking Tour

Despite being up very late last night, I actually managed to hear the alarm this morning and get up in time to attend another wonderful cemetery walking tour sponsored by The Studio for Southern California History.

This month we explored Evergreen Cemetery in Boyle Heights, one of Los Angeles' oldest cemeteries. Built in 1877, Evergreen is one of the city's largest cemeteries, with 300,000 gravesites. City pioneers like Biddie Mason, the Workmans, Hollenbecks & Van Nuys families are buried here as well as lesser known but equally fascinating Los Angelenos.

This free, on-going series is lead by two of my friends, Steve Goldstein and Joe Walker. Joe's under the weather these days (Get Well Soon, Joe!) so he wasn't there today, but many other friends - old and new - made it out. Afterwards we warmed up from the cold weather over a delish Mexican lunch down the street at El Tepeyac.  The burrito I ordered was the size of a small child.  I'm still full.  Forget doggie bag, it was more like a pony, lol.

See photos from the day here.

 Following are a list of the remaining 2008 dates and background information.  Hope to see you out there!

May 3: LA Pet Memorial Park in Calabasas, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: 5068 N. Old Scandia Lane, Calabasas, CA 91372, twenty miles northwest of Hollywood in Calabasas. This tour explores this cosy memorial park to some of the region's pets.

September 7: Calvary & Home of Peace Cemeteries, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: 4201 Whittier Blvd, LA. This tour explores two faith based cemeteries where many LA residents, famous & not, reside including Jose Diaz, the true victim in the Zoot Suit murder case of 1942, his probable killer (who died in 1971 after holding up a bank), infamous L.A. mobster Jack Dragna, lots of stars, and, (almost for sure), the technical advisor on "American Me" who was murdered in 1993 by the Mexican Mafia.

October 4: Westwood Village Memorial Park, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: 1218 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles CA 90024 (Entrance). This cemetery is over 100 years old, but until 1962, no "famous" burials had taken place yet, then Marilyn Monroe came. The very small cemetery is just off Wilshire Blvd & Glendon Ave, behind high-rise office buildings & a movie theatre.

November 1: Hollywood Forever, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038 Meeting Place: at the front gates. Hollywood Forever (formerly Hollywood Memorial Park) holds more history per square foot than an archeological dig in Babylon. You actually feel its 100 years of existence as you roam the grounds & ancient mausoleums & watch the geese & cranes in the lake.

2008 Cemetery Walking Tours Announced

It's time to go tiptoeing among the tombstones again!

The Studio for Southern California History has announced the 2008 schedule of its popular cemetery walking tours hosted by my friends and "resident storytellers" Steve Goldstein and Joe Walker.  If you haven't participated in one of these intriguing excursions yet, I highly recommend adding it to your New Years Resolutions To-Do List!

(L-R): Steve Goldstein and Joe Walker touring Hollywood Forever last month
See more photos from the December walkabout here.

The Studio for Southern California History's mission is to critically chronicle the region's history from a social and cultural perspective. By examining history "from the bottom up" the Studio hopes to recover overlooked histories of community and strife in the larger Los Angeles area and to foster a sense of place and political entitlement among Southern Californians

For more information, visit their website at http://www.socalstudio.org.

And now, the schedule. Be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates:

Sat., February 2: Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 1831 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90007, at front gates.
Angelus Rosedale is one of Los Angeles' oldest resting places, built in 1884. In addition to many of the city's mayors, this cemetery is important to Los Angeles' African American communities.

Sat., March 1: Evergreen Cemetery, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 204 Evergreen Avenue, Los Angeles 90033, at front gates off Evergreen Avenue.
Another of Los Angeles' oldest cemeteries, built in 1877, Evergreen is one of the city’s largest cemeteries, with 300,000 gravesites. City pioneers like Biddie Mason, the Workmans, Hollenbecks & Van Nuys families are buried here as well as lesser known but equally fascinating Los Angelenos.

Sat., May 3: LA Pet Memorial Park, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 5068 N. Old Scandia Lane, Calabasas, CA 91372, 20 miles northwest of Hollywood
This cozy 10-acre memorial park was founded in 1928 and is the final resting place for more than 40,000 animal companions of Los Angeles-area residents.

Sun., September 7: Calvary & Home of Peace Cemeteries, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 4201 Whittier Blvd, LA.
Come explore two faith based cemeteries where many LA residents, famous & not, reside including Jose Diaz, the true victim in the Zoot Suit murder case of 1942, his probable killer (who died in 1971 after holding up a bank), infamous L.A. mobster Jack Dragna, lots of stars, and, (almost for sure), the technical advisor on "American Me" who was murdered in 1993 by the Mexican Mafia.

Sat., October 4: Westwood Village Memorial Park, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: 1218 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles CA 90024, at entrance
This cemetery is over 100 years old, but until 1962, no "famous" burials had taken place yet, then Marilyn Monroe came. The very small cemetery is just off Wilshire Blvd & Glendon Ave, behind high-rise office buildings & a movie theatre.

Sat., November 1: Hollywood Forever, 10 am - 12 pm.
Location: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038, at entrance
Hollywood Forever (formerly Hollywood Memorial Park) is *the* Hollywood final resting place, holding more history per square foot than an archeological dig in Babylon. You actually feel its 100 years of existence as you roam the grounds & ancient mausoleums & watch the geese & cranes in the lake.