The endeavor begins in October of 2010. A friend of mine JP is hard at work at the medical diagnostic firm he works at. During a break at work JP has a discussion with a co-worker, about the Huell Howser show. One episode in particular the co-worker mentions, Huell is interviewing Steve Goldstein (another friend of mine) about famous animals (you know animal actors).
The co-worker brings up the fact that Steve & Huell film a segment at the location which used to be the Carl Spitz Ranch which is now part of the Ventura freeway. Carl Spitz was the famed animal trainer who trained a multitude of animal actors back in the golden era of Hollywood. Including Toto the little dog in The Wizard of Oz film.
Growing up in southern California, a stones throw away from many of the film studio lots which churned out 100’s of blockbuster films. JP has fond memories as a child watching “The Wizard of Oz.” After the discussion with the co-worker and realizing that he not only lived less than a mile away from the site, but went to elementary school several blocks away from the ranch. JP decides then and there that it will be his quest to gather the resources, and interest to have a memorial marker erected in Honor of Toto and that’s where this story begins.
To get the ball rolling, JP enlists the help of Steve Goldstein. The original plan was to have the memorial placed at the Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park, but the idea was put to rest, when the board of directors of the cemetery turned down the proposal to place an upright marker on the grounds of the cemetery.
Then fast forward to about a week ago, it was announced that Tyler Cassity who owns Hollywood Forever cemetery was more than willing to donate a plot, and offered to build the memorial honoring Toto. The work is not finished yet. While Hollywood Forever agreed to donate the plot, and construct the memorial honoring Toto at no cost.
In return for the Toto memorial to be placed at Hollywood Forever JP is asking for donations so he can donate the money to the Hollywood Forever Endowment Fund. The endowment fund is what will keep the cemetery up and running for tourists, and Angelenos, to enjoy for years to come . The money goes towards the up keep, maintenance, and proper care of the cemetery grounds.
For those of you who are interested in learning more about this extremely worthy cause. I highly suggest you visit the official Facebook page here. If you visit the official Facebook page there are some examples of what the memorial may look like. There was also some recent media attention given to this worthy cause. The Los Angeles CBS affiliate did a story on Toto’s planned memorial marker. You can check that out by clicking here.
On a final note. I’d like to congratulate JP Myers, and Steve Goldstein for putting this thing together and getting the ball rolling. I’d also like to personally thank JP for donating the photo of Toto & Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz film, and giving me some background info on how this whole thing got underway. The memorial marker if you’re wondering should be in place by May of 2011.
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