Thank you for lettings us in your homes, speakers and communities. Follow along at LAist.com/newsletters and Instagram. 

Guests:
Gab Chabrán, LAist food editor

Cato Hernández, LAist reporter

Joshua Letona, LAist social media producer

Erin Stone, LAist reporter

Antonia Cereijido, LAist Studios host

Monica Bushman, LAist Studios producer

Victoria Alejandro, LAist Studios producer

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/join

L.A.'s musical vibes are a mix of cultures -- stop on any street corner and you'll hear 80s radio hits, rock en Español, contemporary pop, or reggaeton blast from all sorts of cars over the roar of traffic.

Join us for this episode, where we explore the history of remixing Spanish sounds and cultures to create radio hits, and talk with Girl Ultra, a contemporary artist who's touring songs in Spanglish that are just as inspired by Britney Spears as they are by Mexico City. 

Guests: Mariana de Miguel, aka Girl Ultra; Professor Nathian Shae Rodriguez

GUEST: Karie Bible, Hollywood Forever’s official tour guide

#173: Marigolds – or cempasúchi as the Aztecs named them – have long been the flower of choice for Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. This time of year, you've probably seen these bright, orange flowers all around your local flower shops, farmers markets and grocery stores. But traditionally, they're used in the making of ofrendas, the alters set up to honor those who have died for the day of the day.  

To learn more about the meaning behind these beautiful, symbolic flower, HTLA heads over to Boyle Heights to speak to the owner of LatinX With Plants. 

Guest: Andi Xoch, artist and founder of LatinX With Plants

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/join

Actor and comedian Marval Rex’s first solo show, “REXODUS: Out Of The Closet Into The Tribe,” draws on his experiences with religion, identity, gender — and this city.  

We had him on the show to really get into the state of transmasculine community in L.A. and how he's navigated 10 years of creating art and his exploration in acting and performance.

We'll also hear from friend of the pod, journalist and author of  “We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film,” Tre'vell Anderson to get the scoop on what's going on with transmasculine roles in Hollywood today. 

Don't forget to sign up for the HTLA newsletter here: https://laist.com/newsletters

And you can read Brian De Los Santos' LAist story here: https://laist.com/news/rexodus-marval-rex-transmasculine-actor-to-create-his-own-show-los-angeles

Guests: Marval Rex, Tre'vell Anderson

We know summer is over, but hot dogs are an L.A. staple year round! We all know those bacon wrapped street dogs after a concert...

In this episode, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos is joined by LAist food editor Gab Chabrán as we dig into the history of hot dogs in L.A, and the unexpected flavors that shape this city's most famous dogs. And since it's a food story, you know we're leaving the studio for a hot dog field trip. Stay tuned as we check out the world famous Oki-dog.

For more, read Gab's story for LAist here.

And check out our newsletter signups here.

You know this podcast LOVES our food episodes, so we're teaming up with someone who loves LA's food scene as much as we do: Alex Cottrell, better known as LA Try Guy. In this new segment, Down To Feast, Brian and Alex show each other their favorite meal in the neighborhood. This first one is in Westchester, so next time you're going to LAX (or next time you're in the need of some ridiculously delicious Jamaican food) you've got some solid recommendations to choose from.

Best Chicken Sausage Sammich (Brian): The Coffee Company

Best Oxtail (Alex): Hungry Joes

Music in this episode composed by: Austin Cross, Cortex, Dexter Thomas, Makoto Matsushita, Moon Mullins, The Sweet Enoughs

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/join

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/join

Today’s episode is from 2023. It features our former associate editor and one of my favorite journalists, Aaricka Washington. She took me on a hike in Silver Lake, and we foraged for plants! And yes we did get audio of us tasting some of them. Hope you enjoy the exploration of our urban environment. 

(And be sure to check out more stories at LAist.com!) 

So today on How to LA, we’re bringing you a throwback episode from 2022. It was one of our first episodes, and it focused on produce from a Compton farm. You’ll get to hear how the founders of Alma Backyard Farms set up a community service that engages local residents and employs formerly incarcerated people — all in the name of good food. 

Guests:
Erika Cuellar and Richard Garcia, co-founders of Alma Farms

Today, we're meeting up with one of our favorite L.A. based influencers, Drew Tillman! 

Drew's known online for his date ideas in different pockets of this wonderful city, and in this episode, he's joining the How To LA team to take host Brian De Los Santos on a walking date around WeHo. We make the most of a beautiful Sunday by exploring spaces with delicious food and a strong community focus. Listen in to learn how to get curious about your city, and to hear some special spots in WeHo get a shoutout. 

Don't forget to check out LAist on Instagram and TikTok too, for a video component to this episode! 

Guest: Drew Tillman

Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, screening 1500 movies a year in three iconic theaters across Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque has a movie for everybody, every night of the week. In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro jumps into the history of these movie theaters and this programming group to shine a light on a little L.A. moviegoing history and spotlight the future of the American Cinematheque in this city.

Check out our deep dive into the Egyptian Theatre's history and reopening here:  https://omny.fm/shows/howtola/revival-house-the-egyptian-theater-redux

Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, American Cinematheque artistic director Grant Moninger, Programmers Imani Davis and Cindy Flores, Senior Film Programmer Chris Lemaire

It's like, totally wild that we haven't talked about the "Valley girl" accent yet. This week on How To LA, the team hits the streets to ask Angelenos about the origin of the accent...turns out, no one's really sure where it comes from. Except LAist reporter Caitlin Hernandez, who did a deep dive on the history of the iconic Valley sound. They join us to give the 411. It's like, so awesome, right?

Read Caitlin's LAist story here: https://laist.com/news/la-history/los-angeles-valley-girl-accent-socal-california-english

Guests: Caitlin Hernandez, man on the street interviews from Max, Calvin, and Monse on Wilshire. 

What's the deal with the new mural on Western Avenue? A man holding a flowerpot crawling out of the sky? 

That's performance artist Pope L., inviting folks into the new, permanent home of the non-profit formerly known as LAX Art. They've rebranded as The Brick, and their new brick and mortar gallery and exhibition space is formally opening in September.

How To LA host Brian de los Santos spoke with artistic director Hamza Walker, and artists in the 3B Collective, to get the scoop on what this space means for contemporary art in L.A. 

For more on the artists mentioned:

Pope L.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N7OnQkch7s

3B Collective: https://www.craftcontemporary.org/exhibitions/highway-hypnosis/

Guests: Hamza Walker, the 3B collective

As LA's county museum, LACMA is exploring all sorts of ways to make sure the public feels welcome, from free membership for teens, free admission for LA County residents, and free jazz nights in the summers. You might even run into a friend, or see someone like artist Judy Baca working in the galleries. We ducked inside to get the scoop and see some art in the AC. And later, we shout out our other favorite museums around the city. 

Read more on Judy Baca and LACMA on LAist here. 

Guest: Chelo Montoya, assistant VP of public programs at LACMA

Read more at LAist: How BIPOC-led run clubs are fostering community and inclusivity in LA

You've probably heard of them before - they do everything from trail restoration work to planting shade trees, just about everywhere in Southern California. But this is their home base, and when they're not reforesting swaths of the Angeles National Forest you can find them in the heart of LA at the top of Coldwater Canyon.

Guest: Alex Miller, director of communications for TreePeople

Music in this episode composed by: Austin Cross, Imaginary Softwoods, Jerimiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer, Josiah Steinbrick, M. Sage, Mort Garson, Nicklas Nygren, Patricia Wolf, Wilson Tanner

No? Okay. Well buckle in and get ready to chow down as LAist's food editor Gab Chabran takes Brian to our first location OUTSIDE of LA County... From breakfast burritos to baklava and everything in between. This is Cheap Fast Eats, Fountain Valley.

Restaurants featured: Artisan - 7 Leaves & Crema Bakery, Naugles, Ikram Grill

VCRs are buzzing again in the city...that's right! Watching a movie on VHS is back! But in 2024, with streaming and Blu-Ray, why watch something on tape? HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro spoke with VHS vendors, collectors, and other tape aficionados around the city (including filmmaker Vera Drew of "The People's Joker") to understand the subculture, the community, and let YOU know why tapes are back, baby!

Guests: Filmmaker Vera Drew, head of Altered Innocence Frank Jaffe, Michelle Halac and Alex Gootter of Hollywood Entertainment, Erik Varho and Jessica Gonzales from Whammy!, Eliana Oropeza from Aztec Pickers, Jackie Forsythe from AMIA

In this final episode, we meet a reggae artist who is trying to make it in this beautiful, complicated city... and supporting his art by driving for Uber.

Through reporter Yundie Li, we learn about his struggle with balancing the "city of the gig worker" with the "city of creativity."

Take a listen. 

Today we are talking about those folks and what’s being done in L.A. and OC to try to improve the lives of free-roaming cats in Southern California. According to L.A.'s Department of Animal Services, there’s about 960,000 of them in the city of L.A. alone. 

Read more at LAist: ‘Kitten season’ sounds cute, but it’s one of the toughest times for LA’s cat crusaders

Flavors From Afar is a caterer and soon to be restaurant in East Hollywood. As part of the nonprofit TIYAA Foundation, Flavors From Afar also hosts a culinary training program for folks from all over the globe who are new to this city. Consisting of migrants and refugees resettling in L.A. and looking for work, it's an 8 week training program designed to teach aspiring chefs everything from knife skills to applying for licenses. Associate editor Aaricka Washington checked out a class and is on HTLA to tell host Brian De Los Santos all about it.

Check out their website for culinary sessions, catering and the Global Dinner Series here: https://www.flavorsfromafar.co/

And if you're curious, the next culinary session course for new participants will begin August 6th.  

Original episode description below:

Whitewater kayaking might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture the L.A. River. Too much concrete, right? Not enough water? Well, think again. Kayaking the L.A. River officially became legal in 2011 when the EPA declared it a "navigable waterway." And turns out... it's pretty fun!

Join How to LA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Evan Jacoby as they paddle down a 2-mile stretch of river that does NOT have a concrete bottom and passes through the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Preserve.

Guests: Gary Golding, guide with LA River Expeditions & survivalist; Dennis Mabasa, COO of Friends of the LA River

There's a lot of local stewards of the river who are working to make sure that parts of it can be enjoyed by all of us Angelenos as well as the birds and resident critters.  If you want to  keep up to date on all the things going on with the river, make sure to follow FOLAR on social media or check out their website at folar.org

Also, you check out more info on the river on LAist.com/HowToLA. 

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Listen to Reimagining Democracy for A Good Life, hosted by longtime equity advocate Angela Glover Blackwell. Available now at policylink.org/reimagining-democracy or wherever you get your podcasts

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

It's co-hosted by Larry Mantle, host of LAist 89.3’s AirTalk, the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California, and his son Desmond Mantle. Even though Desmond is in law school pursuing a different career, he shares his dad’s fascination with the world and drive to understand why things are the way they are.

Diving into topics like gender dynamics, mental health, religion and sex, Larry and Desmond will discuss shifting societal values, the life experiences that have shaped their perspectives and stories that neither of them have shared before... gaining a new understanding of the world, and each other, in each episode.

Passing the Mantle premieres July 8th.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Original episode description below:

Gab. Brian. Food. You know the drill — Cheap Fast Eats is back! This time, LAist food editor Gab Chabrán is taking HTLA host Brian De Los Santos to some of the best spots west of Sepulveda Blvd in the 818.

A century ago Wheat and Lemon were the undisputed kings of LA's San Fernando Valley, a spill of land that existed almost exclusively to be farmed. But in the 1950's, as a post-war Los Angeles was flirting ever so closely with car-culture, the first strip malls of suburbia were born.

Today we know these strip malls as the humble homes of the best food the Valley has to offer. Join us to hear about Gab's favorites - and check out his full guide on LAist.com.

Restaurants visited: Cupid's Hot Dogs, Ay Papa Que Rico, New York Chicken & Gyro

Music in this episode composed by: E Ro 3, Troye Sivan, Herb Ellis, Dexter Thomas, Slumberville, The ModArchive, Makoto Matsushita, Austin Cross

Original episode description below:

Cheap Fast Eats is back! Did you miss us? It's our monthly segment featuring LAist food editor Gab Chabrán and all his favorite spots to grab a quick and inexpensive meal throughout L.A. This time we're in Boyle Heights - the true East Side, for those who know.

Come along as we eat our way through some rainy day comfort food.

Restaurants featured in this episode: Pioneer Chicken, Brooklyn Ave Pizza, Mariscos Jalisco

For Gab's full list of Cheap Fast Eats in Boyle Heights, check out his article on LAist.com: 
https://laist.com/brief/news/food/cheap-fast-eats-chow-down-in-historic-boyle-heights-for-10

Original description below:

It's Cheap Fast Eats time again, and that means LAist  food editor Gab Chabrán is hitting the streets with HTLA host Brian De Los Santos. Mid City is close to EVERYTHING...Museum Row, Park La Brea, Fairfax, West Hollywood. It's a good place to know some gems to get some cheap grubs.

Locations: Qi Steam Kitchen, Del Mar Ostioneria, Burger She Wrote

Content Warning: This episode contains racial slurs and discusses police brutality. 

How can I support? Inheriting is entirely funded by supporters like you. If you want to hear future seasons of the show, go to LAist.com/Inheriting and click on the orange box to donate.

This time, a transition home that aims to help those who’ve struggled with their mental health and/or a history of addiction. 

For years, LA county has funded programs to address cycles of incarceration and homelessness that often affect those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse. People would go from one institution —say a jail — right into another, usually with few results. 

Reporter Kira Brenner takes us somewhere different: a place that mixed counselors, therapists, and enrichment opportunities – like art classes – into something that would feel more like a home. 

Take a listen.

#147: The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is one of several L.A. landmarks hitting the century mark this year, and we thought it’d be fun to take a look back on them as we celebrate our one-year anniversary of How To LA this September.

We explored The Biltmore Hotel downtown (if you haven’t listened to that episode already) and we’ll be featuring the story behind the Hollywood sign pretty soon.

When it comes to the L.A. Coliseum (the "memorial" in the full name refers to the fact that the stadium is a memorial to the Americans who served in WWI) there’s no denying that it has a rich history. For example, it played a role in the desegregation of the NFL, and it will soon be the first location to ever host three Olympic Games. But the stadium's history goes way beyond sports.

Guests:

• Frank Guridy, Professor of History and African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University, and author of the forthcoming book, "The Stadium: An American History of Politics, Protest, and Play"
• William Deverell, Historian at USC and Director of the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West
• Marina Fote, Assistant to the General Manager, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The performances from Wattstax in this episode are Carla Thomas singing "Pick Up the Pieces" and The Bar-Kays performing "Son of Shaft/Feel It"

Along South L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor, activists have been calling for the closure of motels they say are complicit in sex trafficking and drug dealing. A campaign called “Free The Land,” run by the nonprofit Community Coalition, seeks to shut these businesses down and convert the buildings for other uses, like housing for L.A.’s unhoused population.

Erick Treviño meets the people behind the campaign, and learns how their own experiences growing up on the corridor have shaped their activism.

For more information, check out Community Coalition.

Today, we're talking about volunteering your time to a cause, and how doing so can make you feel a lot less alone. 

Call it selfish, but doing some community service is a really great way to create connections, broaden your perspective of life, and ultimately give you a greater sense of belonging. 

Producer Megan Botel is at Growing Hope Gardens in Santa Monica to get her hands dirty in some soil and talk about the benefits of volunteering. 

Guests: Carolyn Day, founder and executive director of Growing Hope Gardens; Eleu Navarro, garden and farm team coordinator; Cat Moore, director of belonging at USC. 

Some places to volunteer around the city: 

• Heal The Bay 
• Downtown Women's Center
• Pico Union Project

Host Antonia Cereijido speaks with negotiations expert Victoria Medvec about how to make the best possible deal. Medvec also helps  identify ways the Colorado River water rights representatives could still change tactics and reach an agreement before time runs out.

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Listen to Reimagining Democracy for A Good Life, hosted by longtime equity advocate Angela Glover Blackwell. Available now at policylink.org/reimagining-democracy or wherever you get your podcasts

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Join HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and guest co-host Antonia Cerejido for some LA history, documentary recommendations, and some ideas to spruce up your summer nights.

About 30% of households in LA County are food insecure. Reporter Nova Blanco Rio explores this shocking statistic through intimate snapshots of his time volunteering with food distribution organization Seeds of Hope. 

For more information about Seeds Of Hope and how you can help, or be helped, head to  https://www.seedsofhopela.org/ or call ​​213-482-2040 (Ext. 234)

The first Juneteenth celebration was held in Texas the following year, and then the celebrations spread.

Here in L.A., the Leonard family is credited with bringing the tradition from the Lone Star State to Leimert Park.

Ariyana Leonard and AyEsha Leonard McLaughlin are the daughters of Jonathan Leonard, one of the founders of the Juneteenth celebrations in the neighborhood.

How To LA associate editor Aaricka Washington also joins today's episode to talk about Juneteenth events going on this year in L.A.

In 2019, a podcast series from ESPN’s 30 for 30 called The Sterling Affairs explored how the whole saga went down with interviews with Clippers players, former coach Doc Rivers, and Shelly Sterling, Donald's wife. Now there’s a new series called “Clipped” from FX and Hulu that’s based on the podcast. "Clipped" writer/producer Rembert Browne (who also covered the story back in 2014 for Grantland) joined How To LA to talk about the significance of what went down a decade ago, and what it was like to turn the story into a TV series.

LAist correspondent Emily Guerin examines how JB's position on water has dramatically evolved since he first won office a few years ago. She brings us back to the current water negotiations as the conflict between the Upper and Lower Basins becomes very public, and JB struggles to convince Imperial Valley farmers that they need to cut back.

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Every heard of Black tacos? Or as some people refer to them: Black people tacos? 

Well, they're a thing, especially in LA, and they are delicious. Think traditional soul food spices and braised meats with all the Mexican fixins' that Angelenos love. 

We love our tacos here in LA, and today we're exploring the origins and evolutions of the Black taco. And we eat at Sky's Gourmet Tacos. 

Guests: Veronica Daniel, LAist Studios intern, Deborah Freeman, food anthrologist and food editor for Style Weekly, Barbara Burrell, owner of Sky's Gourmet Tacos 

Places to grab a Black taco in LA:

Ms. Ruby’s Bakery

• 404 E Manchester Blvd # 1320, Inglewood, CA 90301

Taco Pete’s (has been serving the South L.A. community for more than 50 years)

• 12007 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (the historic location)
• 3272 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 

Alta Adams (try their jerk-spiced grilled plantain tacos for brunch) 

• 5359 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016

All Flavor No Grease Food Truck 

• 8600 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90047 on Manchester near Ralph’s. 

My 2 Cents 

• 5583 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90019

"The deadly weed with its roots in hell" is here on Hollywood Boulevard! A new production of the musical "Reefer Madness," based on the cult classic 1936 black and white film, has opened in Los Angeles at the Whitley Theater.

In this episode, HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro talks with host Brian De Los Santos about some Hollywood history, and brings us a chat with actress and producer Kristen Bell. 

You can check out HTLA's earlier story on Hollywood history here: https://laist.com/brief/news/how-to-la/htla-up-close-and-personal-with-the-hollywood-sign

Guest: Actress and producer Kristen Bell

Guests: Etan Rosenbloom; Abbey Chamberlain Brach, curator of Hollyhock House

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

You can find more of their reporting at laist.com/QueerLA

Music in this episode composed by: Rae Bourbon, Austin Cross, Kylie Minogue, Masayoshi Takanaka, Fats Waller, Woo.

Archival audio courtesy of the Library of Congress.

To give you a little inspiration, Brian's putting HTLA's producers in the hotseat and asking them to share their favorite moments working on the show.

How To LA — and ALL the other news content and podcasts from LAist — is Pubic Media. That means we only get funded if you, dear listener, decide to fund us.

We want to keep bringing you stories for LA, by LA. Please help us do the work you love by becoming a member at LAist.com/joinHTLA.

Thank you so much, and we'll see you with some architectural history tomorrow!

~team HTLA

In this episode, host Brian De Los Santos speaks with LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale about what this school year was like for LGBTQ+ teachers in SoCal. In districts big and small, from struggle to joy, Hernandez and Dale heard it all, and they're here to share what they found with us. 

You can find their digital story on LAist's website here: https://laist.com/news/education/lausd-lgbtq-los-angeles-county-chino-antelope-valley-teacher-student-support

Guests: LAist reporters Caitlin Hernandez and Mariana Dale

For the next few weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every Sunday. 

The Colorado River is in the midst of one of the worst water crises in recorded history. Climate change and overuse are taking a significant toll. Seven states, including California, must compromise and reach a solution to prevent the river from collapsing.

In late 2023, the tensions were running high between the major players in the water world as they convened at the annual Colorado River conference in Las Vegas. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin was there, seeking to learn as much as she can about the people with the most power on the river.

For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

Support 

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

A century ago Wheat and Lemon were the undisputed kings of LA's San Fernando Valley, a spill of land that existed almost exclusively to be farmed. But in the 1950's, as a post-war Los Angeles was flirting ever so closely with car-culture, the first strip malls of suburbia were born.

Today we know these strip malls as the humble homes of the best food the Valley has to offer. Join us to hear about Gab's favorites - and check out his full guide on LAist.com.

Restaurants visited: Cupid's Hot Dogs, Ay Papa Que Rico, New York Chicken & Gyro

Music in this episode composed by: E Ro 3, Troye Sivan, Herb Ellis, Dexter Thomas, Slumberville, The ModArchive, Makoto Matsushita, Austin Cross

But here's the thing... We can't make episodes like this without your help. If you value our flavor of journalism, please donate to keep us going strong.

LAist.com/joinHTLA

This episode originally published on July 7, 2023. Original description below.

Everyone loves a fresh concha – that warm, doughy center with the crunchy cookie shell on the top could send any Angeleno's heart a'flutter. Today, Brian's taking LAist food editor Gab Chabran on a concha crawl. We're exploring the history of this famous Mexican treat, and checking out Brian & Gab's favorite spots across LA.

For more sweet-breaded goodness, check out Gab's article over on LAist.com

Panaderias visited: Panaderia Coatzingo in South LA, Vallarta, y Gusto Bread in Long Beach.

Got a favorite we didn't mention? Send us a DM! instagram.com/LAistofficial

Music in this episode composed by: Aaron Copland, Austin Cross, Haruomi Hosono, Radio Jarocho, Quetzal, Masayoshi Takanaka, The ModArchive, Dexter Thomas, Woo, Yeahman

We heard from students at USC, UC Riverside, CSU Long Beach, and UC Irvine about what this time has been like for them, juggling their roles as journalists and college students.

Check out the story on LAist: What's It Like To Cover Your Own Campus Protest? Here's What Student Journalists Told Us

Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, screening 1500 movies a year in three iconic theaters across Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque has a movie for everybody, every night of the week. In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro jumps into the history of these movie theaters and this programming group to shine a light on a little L.A. moviegoing history and spotlight the future of the American Cinematheque in this city.

Check out our deep dive into the Egyptian Theatre's history and reopening here:  https://omny.fm/shows/howtola/revival-house-the-egyptian-theater-redux

Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, American Cinematheque artistic director Grant Moninger, Programmers Imani Davis and Cindy Flores, Senior Film Programmer Chris Lemaire

Today we explore the connection between religion…or lack thereof…and loneliness.

For decades, Americans relied on their church, temple or mosque, or other religious institutions, for a sense of built in community. But with more and more people disaffiliating from organized religion in recent decades — particularly since the 90s — we, as a society, haven't really found a replacement for those spaces, and the community and sanctity that comes with them.

Today, producer Megan Botel speaks to USC professor of religion Diane Winston about what has been lost on a personal and community level in the decline of religiosity. She also explores the Pico Union Project, a non-denominational church in L.A. that might offer a solution to some who are looking to find a place to gather with people and share in some sense of spirituality. 

Guests: Diane Winston, professor of media and religion at USC; Craig Taubman, founder and artistic director of the Pico Union Project; Ross Chait, talent booker at the Pico Union Project.

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:

• The Hollywood Bowl: check out Maestro of the Movies with John Williams
  • Pro Tip! Get a shuttle pass and BYOB (wine and beer only)
• Theodore Payne Foundation: learn about native plants, take a garden tour, buy some plants, take a workshop!
• Check our your neighborhood bars that give the true down home vibe!  
  • In West Adams (Brian's hood), check out Chulita, Johnnys, Delicious Pizza and Alta 
  • Gold Room and Bar Flores in Echo Park
  • Or Bar in WeHo
  • Hot Dog at El Cid in Silver Lake

How can I support? Inheriting is entirely funded by supporters like you. If you want to hear future seasons of Inheriting, donate at LAist.com/Inheriting and click on the orange box to help us make Season 2.

If you want to see some examples of his work, check out this article on LAist.com.

Or - come see the free show in person! It's running until May 18th.

It's heating up in the city, so Revival House continues with a classic of spring and summertime in L.A. — a film at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Run by Cinespia, you can picnic and catch a revival film on the iconic grassy knoll. What keeps people coming back year after year? What's the history of it all? Listen along to find out.

Learn more about the cemetery tour here: https://www.cemeterytour.com/

Find more about Cinespia here: https://cinespia.org/

Guests: Cemetery tour guide Karie Bible, Cinespia founder John Wyatt.

To get us in the burger mood, we're revisiting our episode about the first cheeseburger... which was, probably, right here in LA. This episode originally aired on July 6, 2023.

The cheeseburger turns 100 this year - we're pretty, anyway. (There's a few conflicting dates here) But more convincing is its birth place: Pasadena, California. That's where The Rite Stop first slapped some cheese on a patty - and it's also where Cheeseburger Week is celebrated every year. And this year's Cheeseburger Week is extra special, since it's recognized as the cheeseburger's centennial! 

We're learning all about it with Hadley Meares, over cheeseburgers and fries at Paasadena's famous Pie 'N Burger.

Make sure you check out her article for more: https://laist.com/news/food/pasadena-claims-to-be-the-home-of-the-cheeseburger-but-theres-beef

Guests: L.A. historian Hadley Meares and Rob Osborn, son of Michael Osborn, owner of Pie N' Burger. 

To get a sense of what's involved, we're hanging out with some street vendors in mid city. Plus, we're talking with LAist correspondent Leslie Berestein Rojas to get up to speed on the latest news and legislation for vendors.

Featured Vendor: Daniel Martinez, co-owner of Tacos 5 y 10 on Hauser & Apple, just north of Adams Blvd in West Adams / Mid City.

For a long time she was juggling both her corporate job and stand up, but she went full time with comedy this year. She was featured in the streamer’s series called "Verified Stand-Up," she’s been on "The Tonight Show," and she’ll be performing in the Netflix is a Joke Fest starting this Thursday (May 2) in L.A.

A lot of Leslie’s comedy focuses on dating in L.A., and what it was like growing up in a predominantly white suburb of Orange County as a Chinese American. She sat down with How To LA at The Hollywood Improv to talk about how she got started, what it’s like being a working comedian in L.A., and even shared some dating tips too.

Brian is out but, today, How To LA producer Megan Botel takes over the mic and explores these questions: What does it mean to connect to yourself, and why is it important for warding off feelings of loneliness? How do you do it? And in a group setting? 

One way is to do the things you loved as a kid and connect with that "inner child."  For Megan, that was ballet, so we are checking out Studio A, a funky little dance studio tucked behind the Hyperion Arts Building in Silver Lake. 

Guests: Cati Jean, dance instructor and choreographer at Studio A; Cat Moore, director of belonging at USC, dance student. 

For more on the importance of moving in sync with others while connecting to oneself, read her LAist article here: https://laist.com/news/how-to-la/in-a-social-funk-pickleball-dance-and-other-physical-group-activities-could-be-a-solution

Today, How to LA host Brian De Los Santos sits down with Evan to talk about how he stumbled into his career as a content creator, what truly makes L.A. special AND some of his favorite spots around town that really reflect the city's flavor.

Guest: Evan Lovett, host of "L.A. in a Minute"

PLEASE NOTE: Evan Lovett has previously worked as a paid influencer for LAist to expand the reach of our voter and gift guides, and other civic engagement work.

HTLA is checking out some more movie history with a spotlight on the world tour, The Art of the Benshi, coming to L.A. on April 19-21. In this episode, HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro comes on to chat Japanese silent cinema and L.A. history with host Brian De Los Santos. 

Benshi were the narrators of Japan's silent film era. These artists introduced films and also provided live narration, portraying characters, and articulating the on-screen action, filling theaters and enthralling audiences. Including in L.A.

It's an art form with roots in this city that a lot of people don't know about, so join us as we dive in with lead benshi Ichiro Kataoka and professor of Japanese literature at UCLA Michael Emmerich!

You can find tickets and more information online at https://artofthebenshi.org/

And check out our LAist article here. 

Guests: HTLA producer Victoria Alejandro, UCLA professor of Japanese literature and tour organizer Michael Emmerich, lead benshi Ichiro Kataoka

Today, we’re looking at its present and possible future, largely through Oliver Alpuche's story.

Oliver has lived in downtown L.A. for 16 years and he's a sort of ambassador to the neighborhood. He's also the founder of DTLA Proud and founder of the new, soon-to-be-open gay bar KISO in downtown's historic core.

But we’re not going to try to boil down the entire area in one episode. 

Today, we’re going to get into the history of the ups and downs the area has seen over the years, and learn a lot from a walking tour of downtown put on by the Los Angeles Conservancy (led by docent Robin Holding).

Stay tuned for episode two, where we’ll focus on one Angeleno’s experience of present-day DTLA — living there and opening a new bar in the historic core.

(This episode was engineered by Hasmik Poghosyan and Donald Paz.)

LA is going through what many artisans are calling a pizza renaissance right now. Hundreds of gourmet pizzerias have popped up around L.A. in recent years, taking advantage of the abundance of fresh produce in the region and marrying uniquely SoCal flavors and influences.

HTLA sets out to capture that unique L.A. flavor!

Still hungry? Well - Gab's got even more places to check out in this month's edition of Cheap Fast Eats. 

Locations: LaSorted's, Quarantine Pizza Co, Apollonia's. 

Guest: LAist food editor, Gab Chabrán

Go back to the movies with us!

We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history.

Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little cursed. Originally opened in the 1940s as The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, the venue was home to premieres and parties. Until a theft and murder shut the theater down.

In the 2000s, it was taken over by Cinefamily, which programmed in that space until allegations of abuse came to light in 2017.

But today, Brain Dead Studios is keeping the lights on for nerds, artists, and skate punks in Los Angeles -- aiming to create an eclectic community space to inspire creatives and show good movies. Take a listen as we explain the history and present of this theater.

Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, Brain Dead founder Kyle Ng  

Los Angeles has the most examples of historical designs of any city in the country.

So today we're going on a Streetlight Safari... and we're doing it with India Mandelkern, author of the new book, Electric Moons: A Social History of Street Lighting in Los Angeles.

Check out the book here for a field guide to LA's streetlights. 

Or follow India on instagram where she posts pictures of her favorites throughout the city.

Here are some resources that informed our reporting:

• LA Co-op Lab
• U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
• 2021 Worker Cooperative State of the Sector Report
• Yes, A Stripper Podcast

For more resources 

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and TV and podcast host Dexter Thomas 

Here’s what each person pitched:

• André 3000's flute album (or better yet, catching a live performance)
• In the market for a flute of your own? Hit up Guillermo Martinez (like André 3000 did)
• Getting work done on the LA Metro (or your favorite library)
• Relaxing at a Korean spa (Spots mentioned: Olympic Spa, Crystal Spa)
• Checking out Dexter's lo-fi album

Let us know what’s on your social calendar and drop us a note. We’d love to read your suggestions on the podcast: howtola@scpr.org

Despite being a hub for all things film, Los Angeles doesn't have what could be described as a major film festival. But starting tomorrow, the brand new Los Angeles Festival of Movies is bringing festival highlights and world premieres to three independent venues around the city. Forget the cost of a pass, airfare and lodging in a town like Sundance -- folks in L.A. can attend screenings for just $20 a ticket.

Today we're chatting with festival founders Sarah Winshall and Micah Gottlieb about what the festival will entail and what it means to them to screen great independent films in L.A.

You can find tickets and more information about the festival on their website here. 

And don't worry, we're keeping the movies going and we'll be back next week with another episode of Revival House.

Guests: LA Festival of Movies founders Sarah Winshall and Micah Gottlieb

This wouldn't be a legal problem if the manicurists were classified as "Gig Workers," and until recently that's exactly what most salons did. But advocates for salon workers – and even industry advisors representing employers – say that manicurists do not meet the criteria to be classified that way. Instead they should be hourly employees, and receive benefits like sick pay, vacation days, and at least a minimum wage.

LAist's Asian American Communities reporter Josie Huang shares her reporting with us at the salon near work. To learn more about her report, check out her article on LAist.com

Here are some resources that informed our reporting:

• Working It: Sex Workers on the Work of Sex  (In particular, the essay "White Supremacy in Organizing" by Domino Rey)
• Yes, A Stripper Podcast
• Unequal Desires: Race and Erotic Capital in the Stripping Industry by Siobhan Brooks
• Tits and Sass: Service Journalism by and for Sex Workers

Click here for more resources 

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Are you ready to get dancing, Los Angeles?

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, yes, that iconic New York dance company, will be hitting the Music Center's stage here in Los Angeles. But this is more than just a tour. It's a homecoming. 

In this episode, host Brian De Los Santos talks with HTLA's associate editor Aaricka Washington about her experience taking a community dance class with the company, and how it felt to be at the opening night of the Alvin Ailey company's 4 year L.A. residency. Join us as we get into Ailey's L.A. history and give you a rundown of what to expect at next season's shows.  

Read Aaricka's piece on the Alvin Ailey residency here.

Meanwhile, LAist reporting shows the company who owns the Oceanwide towers has been linked to bribery and money laundering investigations. With all this drama on our mind, we wanted to talk with someone with deep knowledge of LA's graffiti writing scene.

We meet up with Red Ortiz, a graffiti writer turned barber and film director. He'll tell us how painting illegal murals changed his life, and why he thinks graffiti is so important to LA's culture.

If you want to share your hot take, write to us at howtola(at)scpr.org

Music in this episode composed by Dexter Thomas

The club’s star studded list of investors included Jennifer Lopez, Sheila E., comedian Paul Rodriguez, and actor Jimmy Smits. 

This week, the Conga Room is closing its doors. 

The legacy of the club will live on through a non-profit called Conga Kids, a program bringing music and dance of the African diaspora to classrooms across L.A.

But it is still the end of an era.

One of the Conga Room’s original investors, Jimmy Smits, talked with me about the club’s legacy.

Music featured in this episode:

• Celia Cruz - Que Le Den Candela
• Bad Bunny - Soy Peor
• Prince Royce - Adicto
• Jennifer Lopez - Una Noche Más
• Wisin & Yandel - Recordar
• Tito Puente - Ran Kan Kan

In our next installment of our series on How Not To Be Lonely in LA, we’re covering all the ways moving in synchrony together promotes closeness. Really, it’s just an excellent way to make friends.

Luckily in LA, there are unlimited amounts of classes, courses, leagues and clubs one can join based on your particular interests. Whether it’s a dance class, sports league or a mixed martial arts training, there’s literally something for everyone.

How To LA producer Megan Botel discovers why moving in what’s called "behavioral synchrony" is so good for connection, and learns about how one really popular activity in L.A. is bringing people together.

Guests: Sana Kim Davis, marketing director at Santa Monica Pickleball Center; Jamie Krems, assistant professor of psychology at UCLA; Micah Mumper, Longbeach resident and pickleball fan

We're back with another episode of Revival House, but this time we're not heading to a 100 year old theater...

The David Geffen and Ted Mann theaters at the Academy Museum of Motion Arts and Pictures are a new addition to L.A's revival programming. In this episode, we explore what the theaters, which only opened in 2021, have to offer our city's moviegoing landscape. And hopefully, we demystify what seeing a movie here is actually like! (Did you know that tickets are only $10? And no, they don't just show Oscar winners.)

In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro sits in the red velvet seats of the David Geffen theater with Academy Museum Director of Programming, K.J. Relth-Miller, to talk community access, screening trends, and the power of movie theaters.

If you're curious about the Academy Museum, you can check out our other LAist Studios series, The Academy Museum Podcast here.

Guests: Academy Museum Director of Programming K.J. Relth-Miller 

Angeleno Etan Rosenbloom is on a quest to visit them all. Since 2021, he's visted more than 200 spots in L.A., and he chronicles his journeys on his website and social media accounts, all titled "Etan Does LA."

We recently asked Etan to show us something on the National Register that we might not know about already, and when we said Pasadena, one of his first thoughts was: bungalow courts.

Part 2: When the Star Garden strippers go public with their union campaign, they get pushback from the club’s management and a group they didn’t anticipate - other strippers. LAist Producer Emma Alabaster reports.

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

The Highland Theatre in Highland Park was one of the only movie theaters in Northeast LA. A designated historic cultural monument, the exterior will remain intact, but its future is uncertain. 

In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro chats with host Brian De Los Santos about community memories, the history of the theater, and what might be next…

Links we mentioned in this episode:

Eastsider LA

Los Angeles Theatres

Guests: Highland Park Independent Film Festival co-founder and executive director, Marita De La Torre; historian and film professor Ross Melnick, and local employee Denise Hernandez

We all might know the popular – and overcrowded – spots to see the blooms, like Anza Borrego Desert State Park and Antelope Valley. But today, the How To LA team comes together to offer its take on best hikes to see wildflowers, and maybe even a waterfall. 

P.S. Please use these tips wisely! Do not step on, or pick, the flowers, stay on the path and leave nothing but footprints behind. Be a good steward of the land!

How To LA Team recs:

Evan Jacoby, producer:

• The Backbone Trail, Santa Monica Mountains. Start at Mishe Mokwa Trailhead

Megan Botel, producer:

• Zuma Canyon Trail, short and sweet
• Zuma Canyon Loop Trail, long and hard
• Lily’s Malibu, amazing Mexican grub

Jens Campbell, production coordinator:

• Claremont Wilderness Park (includes info about the Claremont Loop & Thompson Creek Trail)
• Whittier Narrows
• Frank G. Bonelli Park 

Megan Larson, executive producer:

• The Grato Trail, park at Circle X Ranch
• Escondido Falls
• Use Seek app with kids!
  
  

For an expert take, listen to the Theodor Payne Foundation's wildflower hotline: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theodore-payne-foundation-wild-flower-hotline/id1676116861

Today we’re talking to pianist, film composer and LAUSD alumnus Kris Bowers. Bowers has composed the scores for films like "Green Book," "King Richard" and "The Color Purple," and streaming series like "Dear White People" and "Bridgerton."

But that LAUSD part of his resume is very relevant to one of his latest projects.

It’s a short documentary that Bowers co-directed (along with Ben Proudfoot) called “The Last Repair Shop." It's all about the technicians who work in a repair shop downtown, fixing and tuning the more than 100,000 instruments the district provides to students, free of charge.

In addition to an Oscar nod, the film has also inspired a $15 million capital campaign — to raise funds for the repair shop and for a student apprenticeship program.

Happy wildflower season! Have you seen all the wildflowers popping up around the city and beyond lately? Our very wet winter has paid off, and SoCal's spectacular array of wildflowers is our reward. Today, botanist Evan Meyer tells us all about SoCal's special bloom.

California is one of the few places in the world that experiences this explosion of color beginning each spring. Learn how the state's Mediterranean climate produces our unique wildflower seasons and – most importantly – how to responsibly enjoy the blooms without disturbing the delicate ecosystem. 

Guest: Evan Meyer, executive director of the Theodore Payne Foundation 

Part 1: In 2023, North Hollywood’s Star Garden reopened as the only unionized strip club in the U.S. LAist Producer Emma Alabaster tells us the behind-the-scenes story of the workplace conditions that pushed the dancers into action. 

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes sensitive content about sexual assault.

For sexual assault and harassment support and resources, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, which is a service of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network).

For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Best Chicken Sausage Sammich (Brian): The Coffee Company

Best Oxtail (Alex): Hungry Joes

Music in this episode composed by: Austin Cross, Cortex, Dexter Thomas, Makoto Matsushita, Moon Mullins, The Sweet Enoughs

As we continue our series "Revival House," How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to the South Bay of LA. We're checking out the Gardena Cinema, which pivoted to revival screenings relatively recently. 

The theater has been owned by the Kim family since 1976, and is now a non-profit run by Judy Kim and a team of 40 volunteers. Kim has saved the cinema from closures a handful of times now, and has also built up an incredible community of folks dedicated to keeping the cinema running. 

Join us as we explore this theater's past and future. 

Guests: Theater owner Judy Kim and volunteers Adela Tobon, Bill DeFrance, Cifen, and Conor Holt.

Today we're walking along the park's historic Ferndell trail with LA Explained reporter, Caitlin Hernandez, to learn more about what makes this place so special.

Now we all know turnout for local elections is not great in L.A., even if there’s a presidential candidate on the ballot. But why? And why should you participate? (One big reason: some races – including any with only two candidates – will be decided in today's election)

Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer for Civics and Democracy at LAist, walks us through these questions and has all the info you need for voting today.

But don't worry, we got you.

LAist has a Voter Game Plan — it's super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot. It also includes shortcuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like homelessness and the climate emergency.

Today, we're talking about another one: public safety.

Guest:

• Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist 

Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and Frank Shyong, LA Times columnist who writes about the diaspora, culture, politics. AND he shares great food content on his social channels with some of the most interesting spots to grub in LA.  

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:

• The Wiz at The Pantages in Hollywood until March 3. Or catch "Chicago" next.
• Late-night coffee shops in Koreatown!  Make staying up late cool again.
  • Cafe Mak
  • Awesome Coffee
  • TPO Coffee 
  • About Time Cafe
• Gardening! Take advantage of the rain, and it almost being spring 

Neon! Mullets! Video stores! Relive the 80s with us...

As we continue our series "Revival House," How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to Eagle Rock to check out Vidiots. The iconic video store opened in Santa Monica in the 80s, and closed its doors in 2017. But, Vidiots reopened last year in the historic Eagle theater. And yes, all of its 60,000 DVDs made the move too.

Vidiots has made renting a movie cool again – and you can check out any DVD in their massive catalog for just $3.

And, the renovated theater will be hosting screenings as part of the new Los Angeles Festival of Movies this coming April. 

Check out the past and present of Vidiots and the Eagle theater with us.

Guests: Executive director Maggie Mckay, founding member and filmmaker Noah Segan, programmer Saila Reyes, and film professor and theater historian Ross Melnick.

In all the conversations we’ve been having with people about loneliness and human connection...be it with experts or every day Angelenos …this theme kept coming up:

In a nation in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, A LOT of people are lonely. But men, typically, are the loneliest. 

Today, How To LA producer Megan Botel speaks to experts in the male experience to unpack the reasons why men tend to be lonelier than women, the importance of male friendships, and how men can create meaningful connections.

Guests: Richard Reeves, writer, professor and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men; Shannon Carpenter, author of the book The Ultimate Stay-At-Home Dad. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.

But don't worry, we got you.

LAist has a new Voter Game Plan. It's a super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot and it includes short cuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like homelessness and the climate emergency.

Today, we're talking about another one: affordable housing.

Guest:

• Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist 

Original episode description below.

The historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood officially reopened its doors after a three-year closure and extensive renovation. It's sale to Netflix in 2020 drew some criticism but moviegoers so far have been enthusiastic about it being able to sit in its seats once again to watch a film. 

The theater has a long history in Los Angeles. When Sid Grauman first opened it in 1922 it helped establish Hollywood as a destination and the city as a place for the movies. 

How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro caught a movie herself at the Egyptian and joined host Brian De Los Santos to talk about the significance of it opening back up. 

Additional Guests: Ross Melnick, theater historian who teaches film and media at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and Grant Moninger, Artistic Director at the American Cinematheque

Guest: LAist senior health reporter Jackie Fortiér 

Read Jackie and Adolfo's reporting here: 

California Universities Are Required To Offer Students Abortion Pills. A Lot Just Don't Mention It

Where California Universities Go Quiet On Abortion, Students Fill In The Silence

Writer's 'Round LA is a Nashville-style, singer-songwriter showcase and hang for artists and non-artists alike. Think a 60s or 70s era Laurel Canyon open mic night. Good vibes all around.  

Today, producer Megan Botel explores how people are creating strong connections and building community through groups like Writer's 'Round LA. 

Guests: Greg Gilman, singer, songwriter for Greg in Good Company and founder of Writer's 'Round LA; Kat Hamilton, curator for Writer's 'Round LA and singer-songwriter. 

Here are the musicians you heard in the episode, check them out! 

Leah Ashton, listen to her latest album here.

Erica Dawson (who has a show coming up). 

Dylan Kanner, who played the open mic. Check out his dreamy music. 

Greg In Good Company, check out their new single, "Home."

Come along as we eat our way through some rainy day comfort food.

Restaurants featured in this episode: Pioneer Chicken, Brooklyn Ave Pizza, Mariscos Jalisco

For Gab's full list of Cheap Fast Eats in Boyle Heights, check out his article on LAist.com: 
https://laist.com/brief/news/food/cheap-fast-eats-chow-down-in-historic-boyle-heights-for-10

The theater, owned by Quentin Tarantino, has a long history as complex as LA's. Join us as we explore the building's history and discover what makes it a special place to catch a double feature today. 

Guests: Theater and operations manager Jules McLean, projectionist Danielle Wakin, and film professor and theater historian Ross Melnick. 

Guests:

• Jenny Lin, board member of the Chinese American Museum
• ACA Lion Dance team coordinators: Kristine Ly, Laura Kubiatko and Samuel Lu
• Alexis Wong, former ACA Lion Dance team coordinator
• Scarlett Yen, event manager of the Golden Dragon Parade, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles

Upcoming Lunar New Year events:

• Golden Dragon Parade, Saturday February 17th
• Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival, Sunday February 18th
• Spring Fest at the Chinese American Museum, March 2nd

*Editor's note: This episode has been updated with a clarification about the origins of the Golden Dragon Parade in L.A.

It's part of series we are running with every Tuesday, over the next 4 weeks, that examines feelings of loneliness in this town and how people are dealing with it by making new connections in the city.

Given this time of year, we are going with romantic connections. In a city that's perceived as being very hard to date in, speed dating is gaining in popularity, especially among Gen Z. 

How To LA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel went to two speed dating events – one for straight folks and one for LGBTQ folks – to check out how this whole thing works and give you some tips! 

They also speak to dating and relationship expert Damona Hoffman for some advice. 

Guests: Damona Hoffman, certified dating and relationship coach and author of "F The Fairytale"; Andrea Ramirez, founder of The Next Fun Thing (Love In LA); David Greenberg, chief operating officer of The Next Fun Thing (Love In LA)

But don't worry, we got you.

LAist has a new Voter Game Plan. It's a super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot and it includes short cuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like criminal justice, homelessness and affordable housing.

Today, we're talking about the climate emergency.

Guest:

• Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist 

As we continue our series "Revival House," How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to a midnight movie at the historic Nuart Theatre.

The Nuart Theatre's art deco marquee lights up Santa Monica and Sawtelle — so head west with us to a screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and discover cult cinema past and present. 

Guests: Austin Fresh and Nina Minnelli, performers in the Nuart's "Rocky Horror" shadow cast; longtime, retired Nuart film programmer Mark Valen; president of Landmark Theatres Kevin Holloway; and theater historian Ross Melnick. 

This matters because movie history is LOS ANGELES history. Some of these older venues can tell us a lot about the early days of Hollywood and this city. But what’s cool is that they continue to create spaces for community, to come together and watch a film on the big screen.

So today we’re kicking off a new 10-part series we’re calling Revival House.  We are going to take you inside these spaces — the vintage spots and some newer ones — to explore their past and their present…and help you connect with some indie theaters in YOUR neighborhoods.

Our guide is How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro. our Los Feliz girly who loves to explore entertainment and the arts in LA. 

In this episode, she talks about she wants to put the spotlight on all these places, from The Vista to The Nuart to Braindead Studios, housed in The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax 

Read her love letter to LA's indie theaters: https://laist.com/news/how-to-la/revival-house-movies-hollywood-essay

Guests: How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro with tape from film theater historian Ross Melnick and programmer for The New Beverly Cinema, Jules McLean, plus moviegoers from all over L.A. 

Every Tuesday, over the next 5 weeks, How to LA producer Megan Botel explores these feelings of loneliness – which has recently been declared a nationwide epidemic by the U.S. Surgeon General  – and how some Angelenos are dealing with it by creating communities and finding new connections in the city.

To kick it off part one, we speak to loneliness expert Cat Moore to understand and, in many ways, re-define our understanding of how loneliness is experienced. We'll also cover specific ways to begin building community.

Guest: Cat Moore, Director of Belonging at the University of Southern California

If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for help and check out these resources.

There are candidates running for L.A .City Council, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, and L.A.’s District Attorney. And there are also local and statewide measures on the ballot that you should get familiar with.

We realize it's a LOT but don't trip — we got you.

LAist has a new Voter Game Plan, up today. It's a super helpful voter guide with information on what’s on the ballot and it includes short cuts broken down by issues that really matter to Angelenos — like public safety, the climate emergency and affordable housing.

Today, we're talking about a big one: homelessness.

Guest:

• Brianna Lee, Engagement Producer of Civics & Democracy for LAist 

And make sure to keep an eye on our events page so you don't ever miss another evening of food and fun with the LAist crew at the Crawford. 

Laist.com/events

Guests: Historian Hadley Meares dishes about the Pasadena past of the cheeseburger followed by Alicia Lopez of Hangaburs, Jimmy Han of Love Hour, and Jairo Bogarin of Hamburgers Nice who all talk to How to LA host Brian De Los Santos and LAist Food Editor Gab Chabrán about their passion for smashed patties, burger history, and more!

Music in this episode:

Rhythm Song (Live) - Ritchie Valens
Come On, Let’s Go - Ritchie Valens
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
Leave it Alone - Cosmic Joke
Dream A Little Dream - The Perez Bros.
Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons
Me Vale - Maná
Para Elisa - Los Destellos
Truly Truly Yours - The Perez Bros.
West Coast Poplock - Ronnie Hudson
Lower - Mal Form
Shattered - Fatal Wounds
Number One - God’s Hate
Grid Walker - Greenwitch
Kamikaze - Cosmic Joke
Butterfly Effect - Tough Front
7th - Jason Ayala
Pools of Water - Tough Front

Books mentioned:

• "Ask the Dust" by John Fante
• "Mercurochrome: New Poems" by Wanda Coleman
• "Always Running" by Luis J. Rodriguez
• "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
• "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler
• "The Lost Cause" by Cory Doctorow
• "KAOS Theory: The Afrokosmic Ark of Ben Caldwell" by Robeson Taj Frazier with Ben Caldwell
• "There Goes the Neighborhood" by Jade Adia
• "The White Boy Shuffle" by Paul Beatty
• "South of Pico: African American Artists in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s" by Kellie Jones

Guest: LAist senior health reporter Jackie Fortiér

For the next few weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every Friday.

Imperfect Paradise: The Castle takes us inside LA’s exclusive Magic Castle through the lens of a queer hobbyist magician, who pushed for more inclusion. Read and listen below.

Part 4: What’s the history behind the on and off-stage gender dynamics in Western magic? And what impact did the summer of 2020 have on the field of DEI? Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido explores these questions with magic historian Margaret Steele and Amber Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff of the Division for Equity and Inclusion at UC Berkeley.

For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:

• The Sissy Stroll, monthly in West Hollywood
• Lover's Ball, February 8, 9pm-2am, DTLA 
• Be a tourist, hike Runyon Canyon
• A day in the neighborhood: Eagle Rock! 
  • Go to Vidiot's to catch a film 
  • Grab a drink and play some pinball at Walt's
  • Get an apertivo and some bites at Capri Club

We're learning all about it with Hadley Meares, over cheeseburgers and fries at Paasadena's famous Pie 'N Burger.

Make sure you check out her article for more: https://laist.com/news/food/pasadena-claims-to-be-the-home-of-the-cheeseburger-but-theres-beef

Guests: L.A. historian Hadley Meares and Rob Osborn, son of Michael Osborn, owner of Pie N' Burger. 

Guest: Dia DuVernet, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane

For the next few weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every Friday.

Imperfect Paradise: The Castle takes us inside LA’s exclusive Magic Castle through the lens of a queer hobbyist magician, who pushed for more inclusion. Read and listen below.

Part 3:  Carly Usdin is at risk of getting kicked out of the Magic Castle. Plus, after 2020, the Magic Castle makes changes to address issues of inclusion, including setting up a Diversity and Inclusion Committee. LAist Senior Producer Natalie Chudnovsky explores how the Castle’s promises to do better pan out, several years later. 

For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

Gascón campaigned as a progressive alternative to incumbent Jackie Lacey, who local activists had criticized for years for her failure to prosecute police officers. 

And he won.

But almost as soon as Gascón took office, he faced scrutiny for being “soft on crime," some from deputy D.A.’s within his own department, families of victims of violent crime, and from conservative news shows.

Now he’s up for reelection, and facing 11 challengers vying to be LA County’s next D.A.

They’re set to take the debate stage tonight (January 18th), so today we're digging into this race with LAist civics and democracy correspondent Frank Stoltze.

L.A. could get get hit with a big earthquake any time within the next 30 years. Maybe even tomorrow. Preparing for such an event may seem overwhelming (or like the LAST thing on your to-do list) but we're here to show you it's not so hard to do (and might even be fun!). A trip to Smart & Final (or Costco or Wal-Mart) can set you up with what you need. Maybe REI for a few extras. Join How to LA host Brian De Los Santos and LAist science reporter Jacob Margolis on this survival shopping trip. 

Guest: Jacob Margolis, LAist science reporter

For more about the earthquakes in our region, listen to The Big One: Your Survival Guide.

Have you seen those Metro Micro vans around the city? Metro's pilot rideshare program has been offering $1 rides in eight zones around the city since 2020. This year, the fare may be rising.

In this episode, host Brian De Los Santos talks with LAist reporter Makenna Sievertson about the Metro Micro program and what she's been hearing from the public. We also hear from Metro about why they want to continue support to the Metro Micro. Public comment will be accepted until January 18th, with the Metro board set to vote on the fare on January 25th. 

Read LAist's coverage here: https://laist.com/news/transportation/metro-micro-costing-more-the-transit-agency-wants-to-hear-your-thoughts

and learn more about the Metro Micro program here: https://micro.metro.net/

Thanks to artist Nat Center for sharing their thoughts on the program with How To LA. 

Guests: LAist reporter Makenna Sievertson, Metro Operations Senior Executive Officer Joseph Forgiarini

It was a very cool, day-long immersive sound and storytelling event, free and open to the public, and Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and I were there to rep our LAist Studios podcasts.

I was excited to be joined by one of our wonderful past guests — photographer and homegrown artist Elon Schoenholz — for a live in-studio interview. You might remember him from episode #183. We took a dreamy drive around downtown L.A. with producer Victoria Alejandro and talked about how Elon captures L.A. in photographs, often taken from his car. But we started off the show with a taste of past How To LA episodes focused on L.A. neighborhoods.

For the next few weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every Friday.

Imperfect Paradise: The Castle takes us inside LA’s exclusive Magic Castle through the lens of a queer hobbyist magician, who pushed for more inclusion. Read and listen below.

Part 2: Once inside the iconic members-only Magic Castle, queer hobbyist magician Carly Usdin starts to become disillusioned with the club. LAist Senior Producer Natalie Chudnovsky dives into how this comes to a head in 2020, when the Magic Castle faces allegations of racism and sexism. 

For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

Suehiro Cafe is now operating out of their new location at 400 Main St., a few blocks south of Little Tokyo. 

Guests: Kenji & Tomoko Suzuki, owners of Suehiro Cafe; Mariko Lochridge, small business programs coordinator at Little Tokyo Service Center

Music in this episode composed by: cero, Dexter Thomas, Evan Jacoby, Frankie Reyes, Geir Sundstøl, 細野 晴臣, Ill Considered, カシオペア, K. Leimer, ランプ, Maston, Roedelius, 高橋 幸宏, Woo

In early December, a state-wide program launched in Los Angeles County aimed at helping those with severe and untreated mental illness: CARE Court. Last October it also opened in Orange County. 

It allows family members, healthcare workers or first responders to petition a judge to step in with a proposed treatment plan for people who have struggled to get the help they need.

CARE Court has been championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and has its share of supporters. But it also has critics. 

Guest: Robert Garrova, mental health reporter for LAist

L.A. might be more known its entertainment industry and beach weather. But the city is ALSO home to the only active urban fossil dig site in the world: La Brea Tar Pits. 

These bubbling pools of asphalt coming out of the ground are the richest source of Ice Age fossils on earth. 

Today, HTLA digs into the history of the Tar Pits and how it's continuing to serve the research community today with asst. curator Dr. Emily Lindsey.

Guests: Emily Lindsey, Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director, La Brea Tar Pits 

If you’ve looked for a house or apartment in L.A. in recent years, you’re probably questioning if there is any affordable housing in the region. By some estimates, L.A. County has a shortage of half a million affordable homes. 

There was a time when the government was a lot more involved in ensuring that housing was affordable for people. What happened?

Guest:

• L.A. Explained reporter Caitlin Hernández 

For the next few weeks, we’ll be dropping episodes every Friday.

Imperfect Paradise: The Castle takes us inside LA’s exclusive Magic Castle through the lens of a queer hobbyist magician, who pushed for more inclusion. Read and listen below.

In Part 1 of Imperfect Paradise: The Castle, LAist Senior Producer Natalie Chudnovsky tells the story of how Carly Usdin moved to Los Angeles and became obsessed with getting inside the iconic members-only club for magicians, the Magic Castle. 
For more, visit https://LAist.com/ImperfectParadise

The oil field dates all the way back to 1924 when oil and natural gas resources were discovered there. But soon, the drilling could come to an end, following a milestone settlement that's part of a movement to phase out oil fields all over L.A. 

Guest: LAist's climate emergency reporter Erin Stone

Guest: LAist Civics and Democracy correspondent Frank Stoltze

2023's Hot Labor Summer left its mark and brought in several new workers protections. There's also new laws for everyone from parents to cannabis smokers to campers. So if you're a healthcare worker and a prospective parent who loves smoking weed in Sequoia - we got you covered.

We're diving into all of it with CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff, who covers CA legislation.

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:

• 100 Carats: Icons of the Gem World at the Natural History Museum
  Currently on view (until April 2024)
• The Great Wall of Los Angeles, by Judy Baca 
• Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy
  
  If you wanna tells us what you’re doing on your weekends, holler at us howtola@scpr.org 

Original episode description below:

Hip Hop officially turns 50 this weekend - Aug. 11th to be exact. As we all know by now, its roots are in New York. The west coast sound developed later but, when it finally hit, LA made Hip Hop its own. 

It's the late 1970s, disco is dead and funk is hitting the clubs in LA. Alonzo "Lonzo" Williams is at the center of it all — DJing, producing and bringing acts at his club, Eve After Dark in Compton.

As a new genre borne out of funk and disco – hip hop – is taking over the East Coast, Williams wants to make sure his dance floor is packed. Run DMC performed there, the crowd went wild, and it clicked for him: bring hip hop into the L.A. club and music scene. He then started World Class Wreckin' Cru, and the West Coast hip hop sound took off. 

How to LA speaks to Williams, known as the "Godfather" of West Coast hip hop, about the beginnings of the sound. We sat down with him in his Gardena studio, where many of the greatest hip hop hits were recorded. 

Original episode description below.

On certain holidays – like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day – flower vendors are out in force on the streets of LA, selling all sorts of goodies on corners, major boulevards or at the end of freeway off ramps. But what does it take to make that hustle happen? How did they get there? And do they make much money doing it? HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and the team spent the day finding out.

Original episode descriptions below.

#87: Brian is surprised by a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It’s his Advance Parole document. He can travel to Mexico – his country of birth – for the first time in 30 years. The days ahead become a sprint to prepare and make travel plans. He only has a month to return to the U.S., or he could lose DACA and be denied reentry.

"Finding Home con DACA" is a special three-part series from LAist Studios and How To LA. Part 1 follows Brian as he prepares for his journey and dives into the Advance Parole process – all the way through the moment he leaves LA. We'll continue with Brian into Mexico next Thursday in Part 2: "Hecho en Mexico."

Guest: Roberto Gonzales, a professor of sociology at University of Pennsylvania, who has testified before Congress on immigration policy.

Music from this episode composed by: Chris Schlarb, Dexter Thomas, Geir Sundstøl, Mamman Sani, Nicklas Nygren, Old Saw, and Yeahman

#89: How to LA host Brian De Los Santos arrived in the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 2. He found out as a teenager that he was undocumented. Then he got DACA -- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It let him get a driver’s license, get a work permit and helped him build a successful career as a journalist. But even with DACA, Brian wasn’t able to the leave the county to visit even visit family. That is, until he qualified for something called “Advance Parole.”

In part 2 of Finding Home con DACA, Brian finally sets foot in Mexico. His audio diary chronicles what it was like to feel at home, but also feel like an outsider, in the place where he was born. 

Music from this episode composed by: Floating Points, Geir Sundstøl, Modarchive, Yeahman

#93: How to LA host Brian De Los Santos arrived in the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 2. He found out as a teenager that he was undocumented. Then he got DACA - deferred action childhood arrivals. He was able to get a driver’s license, qualify for in state college tuition and establish a path to a good career.

But even under DACA Brian wasn’t able to the leave the county... until he qualified for something called “Advance Parole,” earlier this year. It's a program that allows DACA recipients to travel outside the U.S under certain conditions. Brian had, maybe, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to his country of origin. 

In part 3 of the 3-part series, Finding Home con DACA, Brian returns to Los Angeles. But his ideas of "home" have changed.

Music from this episode composed by: Geir Sundstøl, Modarchive, Natalia Lafourcade, Old Saw, Woo, Yeahman

If you want to learn more about mutual aid in Los Angeles, check out Evan's reporting on LAist.com

Or, if you want to learn about mutual aid groups in your neighborhood and maybe join them, check out these resources:

Los Angeles: 

• https://mutualaidla.org/get-involved/
• https://thepeoplesproject.la/get-aid/

National:

• https://www.mutualaidhub.org/

Guests: Aria Cataño, founder of WaterDrop LA; Ndindi Kitonga, founder of Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA); Councilmember Nithya Raman of Council District 4; Benjamin Henwood, PhD, professor of social policy and health at the University of Southern California

Music in this episode composed by: Dexter Thomas, Evan Jacoby, Ill Considered, Meitei, Nala Sinephro, Ricky Eat Acid

Guests:

• Chase White, owner of Recycled Movie Sets
• Alfredo Carlos, professor of labor studies at Cal State Dominguez Hills

Each part of L.A. has its own history — join How To LA's host Brian De Los Santos at The Broad's newest exhibition all about the city. 

Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog) is an exhibition that opened at contemporary art museum The Broad last month. More than 60 artworks from 21 Los Angeles based artists about the city are on display. 

In this episode, Brian speaks with Jennifer Vanegas Rocha and artist Patrick Martinez to really get a sense of how they see L.A. in the works on view.

Take a look at the works described in this episode here, and on LAist.com. You can see Desire, Knowledge, and Hope (with Smog) at The Broad until April 2024 with a free ticket from their website. 

It’s all a part of an occasional HTLA series centering on artists, mostly painters and photographers, who tell the story of Los Angeles through their works. You can find our earlier episodes on the feed.

Last week we asked, why isn't the government isn't putting its full weight behind things like fresh water access? 

The answer was Housing. Interim housing - to be specific. Things like motels, tiny home villages... The idea is that it would be easier for people to access other services if they are at least inside and off the streets.

So today, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Evan Jacoby are taking a closer look at that theory by visiting a motel in L.A. Mayor Karen Bass's "Inside Safe" program.

NOTE: This episode has been updated on December 21 to remove a potentially confusing line about the number of people who have received a housing voucher, which is distinct from the number of people who have received vouchers for an Inside Safe motel.

Guests: Nono, unhoused resident of an Inside Safe motel in Palms; Nick Gerda, LAist Unhoused Communities Reporter; LA Mayor Karen Bass; Councilmember Kevin de León of Council District 14; Councilmember Nithya Raman of Council District 4; Hawk, U.S. Veteran & Skid Row Resident

Music in this episode composed by: Chris Schlarb, Dexter Thomas, Evan Jacoby, Geir Sundstøl, Meitei, Ricky Eat Acid, Woo

There are estimates of 35,000 day laborers working in Los Angeles. The work they get hired to do often includes things like moving furniture, cleaning debris or helping with small  construction projects. But sometimes the work can be dangerous and even illegal. Most have no idea what the work really is until they get the to the job site.

Today, How To LA host Brian De Los Santos speaks to LA Times reporter Brittny Mejia about the sometimes precarious tasks jornaleros do — and how going through a job center may protect them. Brittany recently published this story. 

Guest: Brittny Mejia, Metro reporter at the Los Angeles Times

Some of the most well-known bands they've represented include Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, Thrice and New Found Glory.

Now, in celebration of its 30 year anniversary, the label has put together an exhibit of memorabilia that's currently on display at the Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys. From there, it'll travel on to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and then the new Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas.

Guests: Louis Posen, Hopeless Records founder and president; Erin Choi, Hopeless Records employee; Carissa Leong, Loyola Marymount student and Hopeless Records fan; DE'WAYNE, musician and former Hopeless Records artist

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Hopeless" by Guttermouth
• "Eternal Rest" by Avenged Sevenfold
• "Die Out Here" by DE'WAYNE (ft. Poorstacy)
• "Just A Little" by Masego, DE'WAYNE
• "Better By Myself" by Hey Violet
• "Superpowers Enable Me To Blend In With Machinery" by Dillinger Four
• "Coffee Shop Soundtrack" by All Time Low
• "5,6,7,8" by LØLØ (ft. girlfriends)
• "Jet Song" by Schlong
• "Te Llevo Conmigo" by Destroy Boys

Grand Central Market is a true sampling of LA’s diverse culinary scene that has gone through many iterations and evolutions since it opened.   

Today, HTLA chats with Gab Chabrán about the rich history and evolution of this LA icon. And of course, Gab tells us where — and how — to eat there.

Guests: Gab Chabran, food editor at LAist; Tomas Martinez, owner of Tumbras a Tomas

Eateries we visited: 

For the Win
Berlin Currywurst
Shiku Shiku
Broad Street Oyster
Fat & Flour
Saritas
Tomas Tacos

You can find more of David Wagner's reporting on ED1 here: https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-housing-affordable-executive-directive-one-ed1-mayor-karen-bass-raman-blumenfield-yimby-lawsuit

Guest: LAist housing reporter David Wagner

The situation leaves many people we spoke to wondering: "Why is this work being done by volunteers?"

Today, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Evan Jacoby bring this question to our city leaders.

Guests: LA Mayor Karen Bass; Councilmember Kevin de León of Council District 14; Councilmember Nithya Raman of Council District 4; Hawk, U.S. Veteran & Skid Row Resident; Sade Kammen, Volunteer With WaterDrop LA; Nick Gerda, LAist Unhoused Communities Reporter

Music in this episode composed by: Dexter Thomas, Evan Jacoby, Floating Points, Ill Considered, Imaginary Softwoods, indiegamemusic.com, Nala Sinephro, Laurie Spiegal, Meitei, Ricky Eat Acid, Woo

Staffers from Skylight Books in Los Feliz, The Iliad Bookshop in North Hollywood, Book Soup in West Hollywood and Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont Village shared their favorite books about Los Angeles:

• "Amnesiascope" by Steve Erickson
• "The Dog Park" by Dennis Etchison
• "City of Quartz" by Mike Davis
• "Everything Now: Lessons from the City-State of Los Angeles" by Rosecrans Baldwin
• "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean
• "Writing Los Angeles: A Literary Anthology" edited by David Ulin
• "Dear Los Angeles: The City in Diaries and Letters, 1542 to 2018" edited by David Kipen
• "Ed Ruscha/ Now Then: A Retrospective" from MoMA Press
• "The Cobrasnake: Y2Ks Archive" by Mark Hunter
• "She" by Michelle Latiolais
• "Seventy-Two and One Half Miles Across Los Angeles" by Mark Ruwedel
• "Koreatown Dreaming: Stories and Portraits of Korean Immigrant Life" by Emanuel Hahn

Stay tuned for more picks from other local indie bookshops in the New Year!

Each neighborhood of LA has its own history — meet a painter who brings her story to life in paint and glitter. 

In the latest episode of How To LA, podcast host Brian De Los Santos and producer Victoria Alejandro visit the Flower District studio of Cambodian-American painter Tidawhitney Lek.

Lek's work is currently on display at the Hammer Museum, as part of their Made In LA show, and at the Long Beach Museum of Art. She let us in on her process of creating intimate, personal work that captures both her family's history and domestic spaces in LA.

Take a look at some of the works discussed in this episode on Tidawhitney's website and Instagram.

And check out the LAist post here: 

It’s all a part of an occasional HTLA series centering on artists, mostly painters and photographers, who tell the story of Los Angeles through their works. You can find our earlier episodes on the feed.

Guest: Painter Tidawhitney Lek

Guests: Megan Botel, producer for How To LA; Monica Bushman, producer for How To LA; Victoria Alejandro, producer for How To LA; Tony Morales, intern at LAist Studios; Aaricka Washington, associate editor for How To LA; Megan Larson, executive producer for How To LA

LAist civics and democracy correspondent Frank Stoltze joins us to explain what's going on.

There is work being done by the mayor's office to get people off the street and into temporary housing. But the promise of services —  whether in the form of housing, treatment for substance addiction, or mental health counseling — cannot help if people aren't alive in 6 months, a year — or 5 — to receive them. 

While they wait, many unhoused people have come to rely on mutual aid volunteers to cover their immediate needs, from overdose prevention to fresh drinking water.

In part one of our 3-part series, HTLA host Brian De Los Santos and producer Evan Jacoby explore what these mutual aid groups actually do for our unhoused neighbors.

Guests: Ndindi Kitonga, founder Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA); Jesse Goldshear,  volunteer with PUMA and  postdoc researcher studying public health at the University of California, San Diego; Aria Cataño, co-founder of WaterDrop LA; Sade Kammen, volunteer with WaterDrop LA and social worker in Skid Row

Music in this episode composed by: Chris Schlarb, Dexter Thomas, Evan Jacoby, Geir Sundstøl, K. Leimer, Nala Sinephro, Laurie Spiegal, Meitei, Ricky Eat Acid, Woo

The big sticking point? Artificial intelligence.

Some union members don’t think the A.I. protections worked out in the contract go far enough, and are encouraging a “no” vote on the deal. 

For many in the industry, the chance that things could stall again is alarming. The writers and actors strike — combined — dragged on for 6 months, crippling a lot of people and businesses financially. And a lot of folks just want to get back to work.

The union vote on this contract is expected to wrap up tomorrow (Tuesday Dec. 5th) so we thought we’d check in on where things stand.

Guest: LAist reporter Robert Garrova 

Locations: Qi Steam Kitchen, Del Mar Ostioneria, Burger She Wrote

Guest: LAist food editor, Gab Chabrán

In the latest episode of How To LA, podcast host Brian De Los Santos hears from producer Victoria Alejandro about Pasadena-based painter Justin N. Kim.

Kim showed us his studio as he was preparing to show his work at The Other Art Fair earlier this year, and let us in on his process of creating paintings of LA that also work as maps of the city. Take a look at some of the works discussed in this episode on his website: https://www.jnkim.org/#/maps/

Also here: https://laist.com/news/how-to-la/documenting-la-in-oil-paints-block-by-block

It’s all a part of an occasional HTLA series centering on artists, mostly painters and photographers, who tell the story of Los Angeles through their works. You can find our earlier episode with photographer Elon Schoenholz here: https://omny.fm/shows/howtola/artists-see-la-photographer-elon-schoenholz

Guest: L.A. Painter Justin N. Kim

Read Aaricka's reporting: "It’s Been More Than A Year Since LAUSD Pledged To Green Schools. But There’s Still No Finalized Plan In Place"

How To LA host Brian de Los Santos speaks with Brianna Lee, LAist engagement producer and reporter, and Nick Gerda, who covers unhoused communities in L.A. for LAist about their effort to track the mayor's promise.

Guests: Brianna Lee, engagement producer and reporter for LAist; Nick Gerda, unhoused communities reporter for LAist

It's all pretty complicated. So how did it get to be like this? As it turns out, one of the answers is water.

LAist's LA Explained reporter Caitlin Hernández joins us to help explain.

Check out Caitlin's reporting:

Do You Live In LA City, LA County Or Another City Altogether? Yeah, We’re Confused Too. Here Are Some Basics

Over the last year, we’ve asked listeners for some of their favorite places to hang out outdoors. Here are some of those suggestions:

• Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills)
• Huntington Central Park (Huntington Beach)
• Sandstone Peak (Santa Monica Mountains)
• Ascot Hills Park (East LA)
• Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (Culver City)
• Beverly Gardens Park (Beverly Hills)
• Palos Verdes Beach (Rancho Palos Verdes)
• Wattles Garden Park (Hollywood)

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:

• The Broad exhibition Desire, Knowledge and Hope (With Smog)
• Family Party: Diaspora Dialogues from producer Anita Herrera
• The John Waters exhibit Pope of Trash at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
  
  If you wanna tells us what you’re doing on your weekends, holler at us howtola@scpr.org 

Some folks even say el recalentado — a gathering where folks eat leftovers — is the most fun part of a holiday celebration. 

But the question remains: what to do with all that leftover food from Thanksgiving?

Associate food editor for LAist Gab Chabrán joins us yet again with some hot tips from some local chefs for tasty dishes like empanadas, crunchy turkey carnitas tortas and mulled wine sangria.

The Chefs: Theresa Montaño, Otoño; Elvia Huerta and Alex Garcia, Evil Cooks; Ryan Wong, Needle; Kristin Colazas Rodriguez, Colossus Bakery; Aaron Melendrez, Uptown Provisions 

We speak to the LA-based New York Magazine writer Kerry Howley who recently published a story about the store's history and why its developed such cult following in this city. How to LA host Brian de Los Santos also takes hist first trip to Erewhon with producer Megan Botel to try the smoothies and dish about the store and its vibe.

Guest: Kerry Howley, features writer for New York Magazine 

Check out Kerry's story here. 

There are a lot of transplants in LA, and for whatever reason, a lot of people can't be with family for this holiday. Insert: FRIENDSGIVING!

Hear from the LAist crew over their own Friendsgiving party. We'll talk about connection, friendship and give you all sorts of tips and tricks to pull off your own Friendsgiving this year.

Guests: Gab Chabran, LAist's food editor; Jason Wells, managing editor of daily news at LAist; Caitlin Hernández, LA Explained reporter for LAist; Chanelle Berlin Johnson, director of audience engagement at LAist; Nereida Moreno, digital equity reporter at LAist

He recently published some of this work in a "zine" titled "LA at 5 mph." Join us on a dreamy drive with him through downtown with a camera...

Guest: L.A. Photographer Elon Schoenholz

In many respects it’s like managing a small country.

Now imagine having to configure EVERY classroom… EVERY year… for EVERY school based on an EXPECTATION that a certain number of students show up on the first day of school.

You’re hiring teachers and staff to support the students, balancing the number of kids in each class and juggling whole bunch of other stuff. Then at the start of the school year, some of these students don’t come. And everything needs to change.

Sounds like a logistical headache, right?

Well, it’s a process that continues to plague LAUSD every year. It's called "Norm Day" and we’ll get into how it works…what’s at stake …and what one school is doing about it. 

Guest: Mariana Dale LAist K-12 Education Reporter 

There’s still a lot that isn’t known about the deal. And SAG members still need to vote on it. But regardless, its going to be a long road before things are back to normal, especially for those non-union Hollywood businesses that have been out of work. 

LAist reporter Robert Garrova has been covering the Hollywood strikes since the Writers Guild first hit the picket line back in May and joined us to explain what's known so far about the deal.

And later in the episode we check back in with Pamela Elyea who co-owns the prop shop "History for Hire" in North Hollywood – and hear how she has managed with writers and actors on strike for so many months and why she is calling for a Business Interruption Fund. 

Next Time You Watch A Film, Think About The Props

HTLA Producer Evan Jacoby and LAist climate emergency reporter Erin Stone recently joined the Lowelifes on the Kenyon Devore trail on Mt. Wilson, to find out what it really takes to build our trails... and why groups of volunteers are the ones doing it.

For more information about the history of rehabbing these trails, and some great photos of the crew at work, check out Erin Stone's reporting on LAist.com: 

The Forest Service Can’t Keep Up With What The Climate Crisis Is Doing To Our Trails. Volunteers Are Filling The Gap

How The Historic Mount Wilson Trail Is Being Rebuilt After Fire And Flood

The fire burned 97 thousand acres across the Santa Monica Mountains, killed three people and destroyed 1600 structures – a quarter of them were homes in the city of Malibu. 

But what did we learn? 

Today, HTLA speaks to LAist's science reporter Jacob Margolis about what happened, what we've learned...and what we haven't. Jacob also shares tips to keep you safe this fire season (which is happening now!). 

Guest: Jacob Margolis, science reporter for LAist.

Jacob is also host of the Big Burn podcast, which dives into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and even thrive while the world burns. Take a listen here. 

For more, check out Jacob's recent articles on wildfires:

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/this-la-home-was-built-to-be-fireproof-will-it-survive-the-next-major-blaze

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/big-tests-ahead-for-a-tiny-community-led-fire-department-in-bell-canyon

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/topanga-canyon-wildfire-risk

Guest: Julia Barajas, reporter for LAist

Read Julia's stories: 

Companies That Recycle Animal Carcasses Must Post Signs Saying Where To Report Odors. Compliance Has Been Spotty

How Decades Of Environmental Woes Have Hurt, And Mobilized, Southeast LA 

Companies That Recycle Animal Carcasses Must Post Signs Saying Where To Report Odors. Compliance Has Been Spotty

Guest: Journalist and producer Stephanie Mendez, author of the recent SPIN magazine article, “Ode to East L.A. Punk and the Backyard Gigs We Inherited." She was also featured in a documentary called "Los Punks” about the scene.

More on this:

• Javier Cabral’s coverage of the East L.A. punk scene for LA Weekly
• "Teenage Alcoholics: Punk Rock in East Los Angeles" by Jimmy Alvarado for Razorcake
• "East Los" documentary series by Vans
• Nothing Less Booking on Instagram

Music featured in this episode from:

• The Stains
• The Voids
• Corrupted Youth
• Union 13
• Underground Alliance (clip from "East Los" doc series)

How To LA at On-Air Fest RSVP

If you can't make and just want to listen, head over to DubLab.com and hit the "tune in" tab.

To get you excited for On-Air Fest, we are showcasing Imperfect Paradise: People vs. Karen: Part 1.

The story follows Sadie and Eddie Martinez, a Latino couple, were falsely accused of attempted kidnapping by a white mom-fluencer in Petaluma, California. LAist Correspondent Emily Guerin tells us about Sadie’s quest to hold her accuser accountable, amid the “Karen phenomenon” when multiple white women were caught in viral videos falsely accusing people of color of crimes.Take a Listen!

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Sunsets are one of those few things that most Angelenos -- most people in general -- can agree on. When the sun goes down, and the sky changes colors, blue to orange and pink… It always makes you stop and enjoy, even if it’s just for a moment. There's a lot of beautiful spots in LA to catch it, too. We asked our listeners for some of their favorite sunset moments and they gave us these stories. It's been a wild couple of weeks so consider this your moment of zen. Enjoy! 

This episode was originally produced by Kyle Chang.

Guests: Ofelia Esparza, visual folk artist and teacher; Rossana Esparza Ahrens, artist and teacher

This episode originally aired on November 1, 2022.

To learn more about the meaning behind these beautiful, symbolic flower, HTLA heads over to Boyle Heights to speak to the owner of LatinX With Plants. 

Guest: Andi Xoch, artist and founder of LatinX With Plants

Today, LAist food editor Gab Chabrán is taking host Brian De Los Santos on a cultural exploration of the holiday: its special treats, flavors, and of course, history.
Check out Gab’s piece over on LAist.com for more!

Music in this episode composed by: Ben Prunty, Dexter Thomas, Haruomi Hosono, Moon Mullins, Pedro Infante, Quetzal, Yeahman

*This story includes references to suicide and self-harm: If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.

Additional mental health resources:

• CalHOPE Connect
• Immigrants Rising: Mental Health Connector
  
  Related LAist articles:
• At LA Mission College, Spanish Speakers Find The Right Words To Improve Their Mental Health
  
  
• To Help Others, Young Latino Angelenos Open Up About Their Darkest Moments

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#143: Today we’re exploring one of L.A.’s most historic landmarks: the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. 

It celebrates its 100th birthday in October, and since How to LA just turned one (!) we thought it'd be fitting to feature some of the most iconic spots in Los Angeles that are hitting the century mark (Others to come: the LA Memorial Coliseum and the Hollywood sign).

The Biltmore opened to the public in 1923 and it has such an interesting history, including becoming the place to be in prohibition-era Los Angeles, its role in the origins of the Academy Awards and its significance to the notorious Black Dahlia murder case. And that’s just the beginning.

Guest: Journalist Hadley Meares, who's written about The Biltmore's history for LAist

You can find a video of Caitlin's Queer LA Live event here: https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/queer-la-live-los-angeles-events-lgbtq

Guests:

Caitlin Hernandez, LAist

Valentina, Drag Race Mexico

Salina Estitties, RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15

Ms. Benny, trans Latinx entertainer

In the year since the L.A. City Council tape scandal, a lot has changed.

Efforts are underway to reform the redistricting process. Nury Martinez and Gil Cedillo are gone from the council. Only Kevin De León remains. Progressive shifts in the council are influencing its policies, and new elected members are working to forge a new way forward in L.A. This is the last episode of Nury & The Secret Tapes. 

Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in.

Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

It can be hard to keep up with the new headlines of the day or the stuff we see on social media. It’s…. a lot… and it's heartbreaking. We know a lot of people in L.A. are hurting over this. The Jewish community in L.A. is the second largest in the U.S. after New York… with more than half a million people. And there are nearly 95,000 people of Arab descent living here. 

Overall, there is just a lot of trauma people are experiencing now in different ways. Today, How To LA speaks to clinical psychologist Dr. Rick Williamson about how to cope with this collective trauma. 

Guest: Rick Williamson, clinical psychologist and executive director of the Emmada Institute of Behavioral Health and Wellness

If you live in California and are struggling with your mental health right now, you can call the state’s peer-run hotline for help at 1-800-845-6264.

A lot of these laws only involved minor tweaks to existing legislation, and some were things that only affect Sacramento, but some could have a big impact right here in L.A. — on issues like increased pay for healthcare and fast food workers, a path to more housing development, and increased abortion access.

There were also some things that could have been big, but didn’t get the governors stamp — like decriminalizing psychedelics.

Today, Alexei Koseff, a reporter with Cal Matters, helps us make sense of some of these new laws, and the Governor's reasoning behind some vetoes.

You can find his story on LAist -- part 1 is here: https://laist.com/news/education/california-constitutional-convention-english-only-spanish-laccd

And here's part 2: https://laist.com/news/education/laccd-community-colleges-immigrant-experience-in-language-classes-spanish

To close out this week, we bring you the third episode from Imperfect Paradise: Nury & The Secret Tapes – an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the biggest political scandal in recent Los Angeles history.

In this episode, Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido presses former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez to account for the racist, demeaning comments she made on the secret recording that rocked Los Angeles and led to her resignation.

Antonia also challenges Nury on the deep-seated issues of race and politics that Nury’s own words raised.

Here’s Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido – Nury and The Secret Tapes. Part 3.

CONTENT WARNING: Sensitive subject matter. 

Today, How To LA is getting real basic, real fast by celebrating a true basic girl's favorite season: fall AKA the spooky season. 

Follow along as host Brian De Los Santos and producer Megan Botel channel their inner fall basic girls and map out a festive, thematic, spooky SZN LA day that we should ALL try out. 

Our Best Basic Girl Fall Suggestions: 
1. Starbuck's pumpkin spiced latte

2. Superba pumpkin milk latte

3. Mr. Bone's Pumpkin Patch 

4. Carved at Descanso Gardens 

Spooky SZN bars:

1. Beetle House LA (Hollywood)

2. Potions & Poisons (Koreatown)

3. The Cauldron (Buena Park)

4. Lily Rose (DTLA)