A remarkable new group called Death Cafe has been meeting in Idyllwild for several months now. While the name alone may shake you up, it is anything but disturbing. Here you find a gathering of curious people from wide and far, who meet for two hours over cake and coffee to discuss the only sure thing in life.

Maximus was the most popular dog, Wolfie led the cat contingent and Turbo, an Australian rat, was a landslide winner in the “other” animal category. The contest raised almost $6,400 for ARF. Some of that money will be used for pet owners who cannot afford health care for their animals. ARF had received a grant for this purpose and nearly half the funds have been used, according to Janice Murasko, ARF director.