Category Archives: Miscellaneous Posts

Miscellaneous posts which didn’t fit into the seven main categories.

Renewed The Domain Name And Things To Come!

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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I  just wanted to bring you guys up to speed on a few things. First things first I’m still in the process of finishing up the post-production of episode 12 of The Gravecast Show Podcast where my self, & co-host Steve Goldstein interviewed author, and historian Michael Thomas Barry. Barry wrote three fabulous books two of which are on one of my favorite things “grave hunting,” and the third is a true crime book related to famous and/or infamous crimes that took place in California history.

Barry also has two other books in the process of being published by Schiffer Publishing. One of the books is a coffee table style book which goes into detail about the gravesites of British monarchy, the other is a book on literary greats. When I get episode 12 of The Gravecast Show uploaded you will be able to hear Barry go into detail about the arsenal of books, he’s written.

The next thing on my bucket list of things to bring up. I’ve renewed the domain name grave-cast.com for another year. I’m also contemplating the thought of creating yet another domain name for this site which will help drive traffic here. I’ve got a few domain names in mind, so I’ll keep you all posted on that.

And finally I can’t remember if I’ve discussed the fact that I’m heading back to Los Angeles October 2nd through the 15th. I’m seriously looking forward to taking part in the 1st Annual Death Hag Weekend festivities. Along with checking out the cemeteries, I didn’t get a chance to visit the last time I was in L.A.. Another thing I plan to do while I’m in Los Angeles, is checking out the job market in the media field in southern California. The thing is I’m tired of Michigan, and I feel I need a change of scenery. The good thing is that I’ve got a group of friends out in L.A. along with some relatives there as well. So it’s not like I wont know anyone. I’ll always love my hometown (Detroit), but I just feel a change of scenery is in order.

Toto’s Memorial Marker

23 Wednesday Mar 2011

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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.

Holiday Gift Idea’s Part Dux

27 Saturday Nov 2010

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With Christmas, and Hanukkah, less than a month away. I’ve decided to promote some more holiday goodies which will make the perfect gift for the lovable person in your life who has macabre tendencies. In this post I’ll be promoting items from my Zazzle store. These items are one of a kind and all proceeds I get from each sale will help keep Graveside Stroll online for years to come.

I’m working on adding some new products in the future. For now we’ve got hoodies, t-shirts, and bumper stickers. Most of the phrases which adorn the t-shirts I’ve made include but is not limited to: “Support Your Local Grave Hunter,” and “I’m Dying To Get To The Cemetery”

I’m thinking about doing some t-shirts, & hoodies, among other things. With the phrase “Graver Dude,” “Graver Girl,” “Bad Ass Graver,” “Graver Bad Ass” In the mean time here are some photos to give you an idea of what the designs look like. Or if your more inclined to do so you can surf on over to my store by clicking on zazzle.com. Let me know what you think. Thanks a ton for the support and Happy Holidays!!!

Things I’m Working On

23 Tuesday Feb 2010

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As before mentioned I have a book that is in the process of being considered for publication via Schiffer Publishing. The book is not your typical cemetery or grave hunting style book.  It’s a how-to manual of sorts on the grave hunting subject.

Another book I’m thinking about doing will be on the grave sites of notable Detroiters. I’ve seen plenty of books on cemeteries in California, Chicago, New York, and others geared towards cemeteries all across America. I’ve seen and personally own a few on specific cemeteries in Detroit. There is no book that I’m aware of that talks solely on all the cemeteries where notables rest in eternal harmony .

Being that I have over 10 years experience in the hobby. I feel I could tell a good story. While showcasing the field trained experience and knowledge I’ve gained over the years. To present to the public what I’ve learned in the form of the first book I’m writing. With the second book I’ll be able to showcase the knowledge I’ve gained of Detroit’s history from doing research and visiting the grave sites of many people who shaped Detroit’s history.

Yesterday’s Mission…

10 Wednesday Sep 2008

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Yesterday I broke my record of visiting two cemeteries to doubling that to visiting four both on seperate sides of town mind you… I found the grave sites of several Detroit Police Officers, who were killed in the line of duty and others which included mostly athletes… It was an interesting day to say the least… I got pulled over twice in less than an hour time frame… All because my passenger side mirror was hanging on the side of the car… Fortunately the first cop who pulled me over let me off with a warning he was nice… The second PIG who pulled me over let me off with a warning for the mirror violation but gave me a ticket for having expired insurance…

So other than getting pulled over twice I had a pretty successful day out in the field… I do feel bad for having the lady at Holy Sepulchre look up the six names I needed locations for… She did not look happy when I strutted into the office and provided the names I needed… So I thanked her after she was done and told her I greatly appreciated her help… See now thats the key to things you gotta be nice to people who do these types of favors for you… You future grave hunters will learn alot from the Grand Pooh Bah of Grave Hunting in Michigan if you follow my lead…