">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Fans, news media flock to Jackson's Neverland  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
 
  
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
Asia Pacific
World
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fans, news media flock to Jackson's Neverland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 By JOHN ROGERS and MICHAEL R. BLOOD,Associated Press Writers AP - Thursday, July  2
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. - Adoring fans and dozens of news crews poured into this bucolic town near Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch on Wednesday expecting to witness the finale to the story of the King of Pop _ only to learn their hasty trips were unnecessary.
ADVERTISEMENT
  
A large crowd of mourners set up camp outside Neverland's gates with lawn chairs and coolers of bottled water, while hotel rooms surrounding Jackson's estate sold out within minutes of the first _ and eventually, erroneous _ reports Tuesday that the pop icon might be buried there.
Residents of Los Olivos, who were plagued by reporters following Jackson's 2003 arrest on child molestation charges, once more had their lives upended by streams of TV vans and fans eager to mark the passing of a pop culture giant.
The excitement, however, appeared to be for nothing.
A Jackson family spokesman said in a statement Wednesday that a public memorial was being planned, but it would not be held at Neverland. No further details were provided.
Also Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Jackson would likely be buried in Los Angeles, although the family could have a private memorial at Neverland after Jackson is buried. The source, who was not authorized to speak for the family and requested anonymity, told the AP that nothing is planned at least through Friday.
One site under consideration for a public memorial is the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Lakers held their championship celebration last month, a City Hall official not authorized to speak publicly told the AP. The person stressed that talks were "completely preliminary" and a date for the event was not discussed.
Many of Jackson's die-hard fans refused to believe that the family would bury their most famous son without acknowledging the supporters who helped propel him to superstardom.
More than three dozen TV news trucks and several hundred cars parked outside the gates of Neverland and yellow police tape kept gawkers off the property of two private schools across the street.
The narrow, two-lane road lined with cattle ranches and oak-studded hills was nearly impassable to traffic and fans, forcing visitors to park more than a mile away and make the final pilgrimage to Neverland on foot.
In a scene reminiscent of a latter-day Graceland, many mourning fans placed notes and flowers and then departed, but about 100 settled in to wait. By noon, county officials had set up portable toilets and a large trash can, and California Highway Patrol officers were directing traffic. Officers also began placing no parking signs along the road.
Rosie Padron had roped off a spot just outside the gates of the sprawling ranch in hopes of being the first in line if the public was admitted. Padron and two friends were ready to wait overnight or longer and had set up lawn chairs and a photo montage of Jackson's career.
"I can't believe they wouldn't do something for his fans," said Padron, who also videotaped the events. "Michael loved his fans."
Without a Jackson-sanctioned memorial, at least one industrious promotions company hoped to appease fans with a weekend-long event hosted by a nearby, 1,000-acre private ranch. Promoter Releve Unlimited circulated fliers advertising three days of music and video tributes to Jackson, with a $40 parking fee and food and drink available from local vendors and wineries.
"We're going to have a safe environment so people aren't just standing by the side of the road," said Christine Souza, a spokeswoman for the company.
Inside the gates of the theme-park-style Neverland estate, at least two dozen workers could be seen placing fresh sod along the drive to the main house, mowing the lawn and doing maintenance on an ornate, iron-and-gold gate within the ranch.
The fountains were on and sprinklers had been set out to water the grass. Fresh flowers surrounded its train station.
A receptionist at KW Custom Iron, which had a crew at Neverland, said the company was not authorized to comment on what kind of work they were doing there. She declined to give her name.
Meanwhile, at Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn, rooms sold out within 20 minutes of the first media reports that Jackson would be buried _ or at least memorialized _ on the grounds of Neverland, said Jessica Larsen, the hotel's general manager.
"It was first media, and then after about an hour, the fans were calling in," she said. "There's been quite a few people calling, even internationally, and it's been hard for them" to learn the inn is fully booked.
Residents in Los Olivos, a laid-back town used to wine tourists, took the crush of fans and reporters in stride _ especially after weathering a similar onslaught during Jackson's arrest, trial and eventual acquittal. More than 2,200 reporters camped out at the Santa Barbara County courthouse for the proceedings and dozens roamed the winding roads around Los Olivos during that time.
Rebecca Gomez, a local artist, was busy early Wednesday setting up an exhibition of her work that was scheduled to open later that day. She said she'd already noticed that the people arriving for this chapter in the Michael Jackson story seemed different than the ones who jammed the city when he was on trial four years ago.
"Whatever happens now is respectful instead of that other crowd we had the last time," she said.
____
Associated Press Writer Michael R. Blood reported from Los Angeles. AP Writers Gillian Flaccus, Anthony McCartney and Nekesa Mumbi Moody in Los Angeles and AP Photographer Chris Carlson in Los Olivos also contributed to this report.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
 
Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle
David Carradine died of asphyxiation - pathologistReuters - Thursday, July  2
Oscar winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97Reuters - Thursday, July  2
Neverland could rival Graceland as tour attractionReuters - Thursday, July  2
Kevin Jonas and girlfriend get engagedAP - Thursday, July  2
Fans, news media flock to Jackson's NeverlandAP - Thursday, July  2
 
 
 
 
Most Popular – Entertainment
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Jackson Neverland funeral ruled out as will surfaces
 
 
The daily grind: Sex for a week boosts sperm quality
 
 
Hundreds say final farewell to Farrah Fawcett
 
 
'Evil' swindler Madoff jailed for 150 years
 
 
Questions mount over Jackson animal kingdom
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Thursday,  2 July 2009 Iraq death toll spikes as US troops leave cities  
Iran says 20 killed in post-election turmoil  
Iraq death toll spikes as US troops leave cities  
Michael Jackson's Childhood Home May Be Moved To Another Location  
Poland eyes Gulf investment hub role  
Michael Jackson's Albums Dominates Billboard Charts  
Pakistani troops clear Taliban stronghold in Swat
| International
|  
Report: Iran's Ahmadinejad cancels Libya visit  
Can't Catch The Vibe; Hip-Hop/R&B Magazine Closes Doors  
Mexican gangs target outspoken priests in drug war
| International
|  
US private sector 'cut 473,000 jobs in June'  
Michael Jackson's Home Reportedly Found With Extremely Dangerous Drug  
Ethiopia dismisses Somali threat, violence flares
| International
|  
Britain's Great Train Robber is refused parole
| International
|  
Diana Ross Was Michael Jackson's Second Choice To Act As Guardian For Kids  
Recession Causes TV Guide To Cancel Emmy Party  
Last Known Michael Jackson Will To Be Filed Wednesday  
Antonio Banderas And Melanie Griffith Loses Battle Over Spanish Summer House  
Michael Jackson Tribute Show Likely To Feature Family  
Sweden kicks off EU presidency in institutional fog  
Farrah Fawcett Mourned By 200 Friends And Family Members At Private Funeral  
UN chief says climate pact must be finalized  
UN probe into slaying of Bhutto begins  
China Web controversy highlights public role  
Poll: Pakistanis view Taliban as threat to country  
WFP says funding shortfall for NKorea food aid  
State-by-state list of obesity rates, rankings  
At least 4 die in anti-India protest in Kashmir  
Mississippi's still fattest but Alabama closing in  
NASA: Space shuttle fueling test looks successful  
Japan's embattled PM Aso names two new ministers  
LG says considering additional LCD line
| Technology
|  
NJ man on 15th drunken-driving offense: I'm guilty  
Thailand, Australia report new swine flu deaths  
Washington state farmers sue to stop feedlot plan  
U.S. gov't to release $4 billion soon for broadband
| Technology
|  
Japan leader carries out minor Cabinet reshuffle  
The Nation's weather  
Enraged elephant stomps 3 Thai workers to death  
Obama to hold another health care town hall  
Americans not explicit when defining what sex is  
Panel set to rule on Quecreek Mine fines  
Shinsei, Aozora announce plan to merge  
Nomura to buy NikkoCiti Trust from Citigroup  
South Korea's June trade surplus hits record  
WRAPUP 1-S.Korean exports, housing prices extend recovery  
Airbus kicks off construction on new China plant  
Sony struggling as Walkman hits 30th anniversary  
Japan's Shinsei and Aozora Banks agree to merge  
Actor Karl Malden dies at 97
| Entertainment
|  
World Bank lends $50 mln to Pakistan for irrigation  
Is Twitter the news outlet for the 21st century?  
Digital images of all Rembrandt's work on show  
'Best job' Brit lands on Australian paradise island  
Fashion designer crashes car into Calif. store  
Fans gather for Apollo Theater's Jackson memorial  
Mousavi urges Iran vote re-run, backs rights group  
US-TECH Summary  
U.S. Marines launch major assault in Afghan valley
| International
|  
Battle for EU president post commences  
Schwarzenegger declares emergency in California  
Amnesty says Israel "wantonly" destroyed Gaza  
China paper says Web filter only a matter of time  
Young survivor of Comoros crash heading to Paris  
2010 species pledge set to fail: conservationists  
Saddam's weapons bluff aimed at Iran: FBI reports
| International
|  
Disney's "Little Mermaid" Broadway Musical To Close  
US auto sales appear to stabilize  
Honduras rulers reject world pressure to reverse coup
| International
|  
Iraq far behind in mine clearance  
Sirius XM CEO gets pay hike  
Actor Karl Malden Dies At Age 97  
Sweden kicks off EU presidency in institutional fog  
France's Sarkozy laments 'totally inhuman' job  
Gizmodo, Engadget founder launches new gadget site  
Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97  
June is deadliest month for Iraqis this year  
Bomb kills Iraqi soldier and wounds 10 in Baghdad
| International
|  
YouTube doubles video file size to 2G  
Iran reformists show fresh defiance against regime  
Iran hangs six for murder, two spared: report
| International
|  
Jackson Neverland funeral ruled out as will surfaces  
Fledgling website hopes to open journalism to all  
North Korea seen readying missiles
| International
|  
WTO cuts trade forecast, sees rising protectionism  
Iraq: Key figures since the war began  
Gannett cutting 1,400 jobs at local papers  
China paper says Web filter only a matter of time
| International
|  
Iraq death toll spikes as US troops leave cities  
Barak links settlement freeze to regional peace drive
| International
|  
Barak links settlement freeze to regional peace drive  
Mexican police find 14 bodies in drug war grave
| International
|  
$4 billion to be released soon for broadband  
Sweden kicks off EU presidency in institutional fog  
Microsoft posts modest search gains with Bing  
Iraqi Cabinet approves BP's offer on Rumaila  
Robots face off on football pitch, in kitchen at RoboCup 2009  
Calif. Rep. Waxman hospitalized after fainting  
Iraqi politicians of all stripes laud U.S. pullout  
Declining Aboriginal conditions 'unacceptable': Rudd  
NKorea likely to fire short-range missiles: report  
Raising doubts over Hong Kong's feng shui 'masters'  
China paper says Web filter only a matter of time
| Technology
|  
North Korea seen readying missiles  
MySpace, Web servers not liable for assaults: court
| Technology
|  
US senators urge Vietnam to release dissident priest  
Sirius XM CEO gets pay hike
| Technology
|  
Inamoto hopes for another football World Cup chance  
U.S. North Korea sanctions team to visit Malaysia  
Obama to meet China's Hu at Group of Eight summit  
Fledgling website hopes to open journalism to all
| Technology
|  
Major military operation under way in Afghanistan  
Utah bar crawl to mark end of liquor restrictions  
Hussey century rallies Australia against Lions  
Correction: Billy Mays obituary  
Japan's Uehara out two months with elbow tendon tear  
White House: Niger's actions worrisome  
Reputed mob boss pleads guilty in Mass. bribe case  
US Marines storm south in major Afghan offensive  
Inouye's office inquired about bank's aid request  
Pakistani c.bank to sell T-bills in 2-day repo  
NZ commodity export prices rise in June  
Two Koreas hold new talks on fate of joint project  
Oscar winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97  
CORRECTED  
Jolie, Aniston are Hollywood top-earning actresses  
New Zealand venture defers plan to import LNG  
S.Korea Q3 retailer sentiment at 6-qtr high-survey  
Planned S.Korea Q2 FDI increase highest in over a year  
Taiwan dollar at 3-wk high on US, China data  
S.Korea T-bonds mixed after strong rally  
Air New Zealand staff bare all to get flyers' attention  
Napoleon died of kidney failure: Danish doctor  
Michael Jackson's will sets family trust, funeral sketchy
| Entertainment
|  
Nigerians from diaspora heading home to work  
David Carradine died of asphyxiation: pathologist
| Entertainment
|  
David Carradine died of asphyxiation  
Hipster factor poses challenges for movie marketers
| Entertainment
|  
Transformers looks unstoppable at box office
| Entertainment
|  
Oscar winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97  
Neverland could rival Graceland as tour attraction  
O'Neal leads mourners at Farrah Fawcett funeral
| Entertainment
|  
Fans, news media flock to Jackson's Neverland  
Kevin Jonas, of Jonas Brothers, engaged
| Entertainment
|  
Plan to bury Michael Jackson at Neverland fizzles  
Oscar winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97
| Entertainment
|  
Kevin Jonas, of Jonas Brothers, engaged  
Anti-terrorist show Wanted to bow in July
| Entertainment
|  
Wilco (the article): Chicago band revels in rock  
Jolie, Aniston are Hollywood top-earning actresses
| Entertainment
|  
Jolie, Aniston are Hollywood top-earning actresses  
Neverland could rival Graceland as tour attraction
| Entertainment
|  
US Marines storm south in major Afghan offensive  
Italy rail inferno: death toll reaches 18  
North Korea ups tension with short-range missiles
| International
|  
Amnesty accuses Israel of using human shields in Gaza  
ECB keeps key interest steady at record 1.0%  
Israel rejects total settlement freeze  
Deflation hovers over ECB meeting in Luxembourg  
Doomed Air France plane was not destroyed in flight
| International
|  
Somalia, Iraq most dangerous for minorities: NGO  
Iran hardliners urge legal action against Mousavi
| International
|  
India court overturns ban on gay sex
| International
|  
Comoros crash survivor reunites with father
| International
|  
Amnesty says Israel wantonly destroyed Gaza
| International
|  
The Palestinian class of 2009, in their own words
| International
|  
Khmer Rouge child survivor weeps for mother  
Kiwi airline bares all for safety  
Top Australia firefighter criticised over wildfires  
Indian court rules gay sex legal  
Taser, pepper spray used as Texas pastor arrested  
Gamer steals from virtual world to pay real debts
| Technology
|  
UN chief Ban warned over risky Myanmar visit  
June jobless rate seen rising to 9.6 percent  
US officials meet with China on NKorea sanctions  
Staten Island Ferry boat's hard docking injures 15  
China says Web censor plan to proceed: report  
MySpace, Web servers not liable for assaults: court
| Technology
|  
Jay Leno wins cybersquatting case
| Technology
|  
Japan may deploy troops near disputed islands  
Federal agents to join probe into Jackson's death  
Web advertisers propose self-regulation principles
| Technology
|  
Japan students rush for English-language education  
Arms dealer gets 25 years in NYC terror case  
UN's Ban to meet Suu Kyi party members: spokesman  
Fame, fortune for Web tutors in education-crazy South Korea
| Technology
|  
Intel-Nokia tie takes few years to succeed: Barrett
| Technology
|  
Guantanamo detainee seeks `black sites' access  
Cops zap pastor protesting traffic stop at church  
Key Senate Democrats trim cost of health care bill  
Taiwan dollar off 3-week high on c.bank moves  
China may allow foreign firms to list: govt  
Malaysian foreign investment plummets in 2009  
China's violin industry aims high  
Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 11 percent  
Seoul shares end flat on earnings caution; Hynix jumps  
Indian court rules gay sex legal  
China wants diversified global monetary system: govt  
Lebanon's struggling fishermen angling for a catch  
Christian Slater closes in on role in ABC series  
"Transformers" looks unstoppable at box office  
Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 5-11  
Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden dead at 97  
UK comedy actress Mollie Sugden dies at 86
| Entertainment
|  
Jolie, Aniston are Hollywood's top-earning actresses
| Entertainment
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights