NEIGHBORS / SHORT TAKES : Grave Situation : The authors of a book on Nordhoff Cemetery decide to hold an autograph session there.

The heading on the press release caught our collective eye: “Autograph Party at Nordhoff Cemetery.”

“Oh no,” we thought, “another book signing where we mingle with a bunch of stiffs.” But we read further and soon changed our opinion.

The book signers in question are Patricia Fry and Dennis Mullican. On Saturday, they will be autographing their new publication “The Nordhoff Cemetery: Book I,” which profiles people buried at the Ojai cemetery between 1870 and 1900.

The project was an offshoot of the Adopt-A-Grave program organized two years ago by Ojai’s Julie DelPozzo. At the time, the cemetery was in serious disarray--grave markers had been washed away, grazing cattle had knocked things over and vandals had removed headstones.

DelPozzo, being a concerned citizen, rounded up volunteers to clean up and maintain the place. With the improved cemetery conditions came an increased number of visitors, many of whom wanted more information on the people buried there. Hence the book.

Signing will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the cemetery. Where in the cemetery is uncertain. Just look for the most lively group. Anyone getting a book signed will also get a free map of the cemetery. Adopt-A-Grave volunteers will lead tours.

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Speaking of press releases, one arrived last week trumpeting the efforts of three members of the Camarillo Noontime Optimist Club. The trio will be raising funds for local youth groups by running in the Los Angeles Marathon.

The release was titled, “Local Optimists Training for Los Angeles Marathon. . . .”

If we had written the press release about ourselves it would probably have read: “Local Realists Not Training for Los Angeles Marathon. . . .” (We find it strenuous to drive our car 26.2 miles--we’ll be looking for less physical ways to raise money.)

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Photographer Marc Alan Langsam is in a holiday mood--you can tell by his graffiti art.

Last time we spoke with the Thousand Oaks resident, he was exhibiting a photo of graffiti that resembled a face with something splattered on it. Well, he’s got another exhibit, this time featuring the festive side of wall drawings.

“I cut out (paper) Christmas trees that I decorated and put them on walls of graffiti in Venice Beach, and I photographed them,” Langsam said.

Langsam said he received a lot of stares from passersby while setting up the shots. The work is on display at the Installations One Gallery in Encino. There will be a reception there tonight at 7:30.

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A Christmas tree will be trimmed at Ventura Harbor Village and the prettier it is, the happier the folks at the Ventura County office of the American Cancer Society will be. The tree is the focal point of the organization’s inaugural “Love Lights a Tree” fund-raiser. People can donate money in memory of, or in honor of, someone. In exchange, the donor will get to put an ornament on the tree.

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Sharon Satterfield-Jones of the American Cancer Society said the group expects to raise about $5,000. Donations will be accepted throughout the holidays, but the official decorating will take place Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m., with carolers and refreshments on hand.