California dreamin': New cemetery possible in Malibu

As officials in Malibu ponder what to do to preserve open space in their community, some people think that a so-called green, or environmental, cemetery must be just the ticket. Spearheading the idea is Pepperdine University official Dennis Torres, who told the Malibu Surfside News he first proposed a cemetery for the space about 20 years ago and "was laughed at." Pepperdine owns some of the land in question, according to this news report. Reported the website:

Two town hall sessions have been held so far. The panel was formed just months ago. Ad hoc committee member [Laura] Rosenthal [who is also the mayor] said, at the outset of the meetings, "Preserving vacant land zoned for commercial use is one way to ensure that Malibu retains its rural landscape. We look forward to productive meeting[s] filled with great ideas."

Feud brews over allowing dog owners to use California cemetery

Some cemeteries use dog-walkers' use to raise money, but here's a place in California where there are some concerns over such use.

California diocese puts solar panels in cemetery

Saw this done somewhere in Europe (Spain, maybe?). Now, it's in the United States.

Cemetery wins out over preserving farmland

The Stanislaus County, Calif., supervisors voted to allow a cemetery, overturning a planning board decision that would have protected farmland.

Citizens clean up Northern California cemetery

Here's a short story and slide show about a cleanup project at a Northern Califorinia cemetery that includes some of the early pioneers.

Scout works at California cemetery

A college student worked toward becoming an Eagle Scout by helping to spruce up an old cemetery in Redding, California.

California gets new law regulating neglected private cemeteries

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law allowing the appointment of a temporary cemetery administrator if a private cemetery falls into disrepair.

Forest Lawn: Where Michael Jackson won't be buried

MJ's final resting place is elsewhere, but here's an interesting feature about the noted Los Angeles cemetery Forest Lawn, where his funeral procession began today.

Grand jury investigates cemetery operations

Here's an unusual take: a county grand jury in San Luis Obispo County, California, has investigated the care of local cemeteries.
Here is the grand jury's report:

Cemeteries "Fight the Bite"

This is a bit unusual, but worth mentioning here: Cemeteries in California have required visitors to leave flowers in a water-absorbing polymer, in order to cut down on the amount of free-standing water that could become breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitos. Interesting idea.

Manufacturer comes to the aid of a cemetery

A financially struggling cemetery in San Gabriel Valley, California, has received some aid from a local manufacturer, M.C. Gill, which manufactures parts used in building aircraft and other vehicles.

Dispute among neighbors in Marin County, Calif.

This opinion piece in the Marin (California) Independent Journal discusses the dispute between residents and operators of Valley Memorial Park, who want to build more mausoleum space.

Dog walking in the cemetery

This is an enjoyable piece about the joys of walking the dog at the cemetery. This is the trackback link ... not sure if it will work.

Work at historic LA cemetery

Preservationists are trying to restore the famous Marquez Cemetery in Los Angeles, which dates back to the late 1840s

Financial woes at Fresno's oldest cemetery?

A report at a California TV station site details the circumstances at Mountain View Cemetery in Fresno, Calif., the city's oldest graveyard. The cemetery is nearly full, but operators say they need more funding to keep the cemetery running. They are proposing to close down a road in a section of the cemetery and use that for more graves. The decision is now in the hands of a judge.

Thanks -- and can you help?

Here's a thank-you from cemetery officials in Modesto, Calif., for all those who helped after a massive act of vandalism at the Pioneer Cemetery, where 80 headstones were toppled.
Here's something worthy of thanks: A Boy Scout in Cape May County, N.J., worked to restore an old cemetery and tried to make it vandal-proof.
And here is a request for help from Berlin, Conn., specifically serving in an unpaid position on a cemetery board.

California town votes to expand cemetery

The Pleasanton City Council voted to expand its local cemetery and said it will establish a fee structure.
From the report:

The council decided unanimously to expand the cemetery by 400 plots and to
accommodate as many as 800 more people. The council agreed with the city's staff
report to install 200 double-depth plots and 200 double-cremain niches to the
Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery.

Mountain lion spotted in Calif. cemetery

Authorities said it posed no threat to humans, and probably was in the area because deer are in the area.