Doomsday safe-haven offered under Mojave Desert

BARSTOW, Calif. (AP) - A salesman with a doomsday plan is taking money for what he promises will one day be a comfortable, nuke-proof bunker in the Mojave Desert.

Robert Vicino, who runs the Del Mar-based company Vivos, is already taking reservations for the bunker in Barstow. He says the 13,000-square-foot underground structure will include an atrium, gym and jail on the inside and sloppy joes and pearl potatoes on the menu.

Experts say the demand for bunkers is growing because of strong earthquakes, terrorism and predictions that the world will end in 2012 when the ancient Mayan calendar ends.

About $50,000 will get you a spot in Vicino's facility. He says half of the 132 spaces planned in the bunker have been reserved, and he's still taking deposits of $5,000 for adults and $2,500 for kids. Pets are free.

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On the Net:

http://www.terravivos.com/

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.