The Washington Post reports that the late San Diego congressman Lionel Van Deerlin has returned to the U.S. Capitol.
It seems that some of Van Deerlin's ashes were scattered on the Capitol grounds in recent days by a retired journalist friend who declined to reveal his identity to the Post's “Reliable Source” columnists.
Van Deerlin was an 18-year veteran of the House of Representatives who went on to write a column for The San Diego Union-Tribune's opinion pages before his death May 17. He would have turned 94 this Friday.
While most of the Democratic congressman's cremains were interred in an Oceanside cemetery next to his wife, Mary Jo, some of his ashes were saved by family members for “Van's” favorite haunts.
“We put a little bit of Daddy all over the place,” daughter Vicky Van Deerlin told the Post.
The cremains were sprinkled into flower gardens in front of the House side of the Capitol and near the Longworth Building, where Van Deerlin had an office.
U.S. Capitol Police told the Post they were unaware of a law against such scattering of ashes. In California, written permission and a burial permit are required for disposal of cremains on private and public property or fewer than 500 yards offshore.
Rumor has it that small amounts of cremains are being left at some of Van Deerlin's favorite local spots – including the ocean at Mission Beach and Mission Bay and in Presidio Park.
As for what Van Deerlin might think, “He would be happy,” said his daughter Liz Van Deerlin of Hurlock, Md. “My dad loved San Diego and the beaches. He loved nature.”
Read all about it
It may be 38 years old, but UC San Diego's Geisel Library has been named to a list of the “25 Most Modern Libraries in the World.” Joining it is the San Diego Public Library, heralded as one of the first to embrace wireless technology with services of free WiFi, online assistance and homework help. The top 25 list was compiled by www.bestcollegesonline.com.
UCSD's library, which resembles a hovering spaceship, was cited for its futuristic design by architect William Pereira, who also created the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco.
The spaceship shape was never part of the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” as often rumored, but did make an appearance as the exterior of a research lab in the movie “Killer Tomatoes Strike Back.”
A touching experience
Not many museum exhibits have signs that say: “Please touch me gently.” But the African Shona sculpture display, “Spirits in Stone,” at the San Diego Natural History Museum is one exception. Museum operators expect some special visitors today – students from the Braille Institute – who will be able to enjoy the artwork.
Musical chairs
After Fred Sainz announced he was stepping down as Mayor Jerry Sanders' spokesman, Darren Pudgil agreed to leave his post as communications director for Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad, to take Sainz's place next month. Then Kurt Bardella, who left Bilbray to become spokesman for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, announced he is returning to take Pudgil's place in Bilbray's office.
The musical chairs scenario is old hat for Bardella and Pudgil, who worked together in county Supervisor Ron Roberts' office when Steve Danon was Roberts' chief of staff. Now Danon is Bilbray's chief of staff.
“Our (three) lives have been strangely intertwined,” said Bardella, who grew up in Escondido.
His new (old) job begins next month.
Diane Bell's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fax items to (619) 260-5009; call (619) 293-1518; e-mail to diane.bell@uniontrib.com; or mail to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Box 120191, San Diego 92112-0191.
