The Fat Man was a popular radio detective drama that debuted on this date (21 January) in 1946. It starred J. Scott Smart as the titular detective who, although best known as "the Fat Man," was actually named Brad Runyon. His deep, resonant, rich, and slightly theatrical voice was occasionally described as "fruity," which fit … Continue reading Old Time Radio — The Fat Man Debuted Today, on 21 January, 1946
Author: Eric Brightwell
Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c
No Enclave — Inuit Los Angeles
Inuit flags, clockwise from upper left: Nunavut, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), Nunatsiav, Invialuit, and Nunavik 7 November was International Inuit Day (Inuktitut: ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᑉᓗᐊᓂ) and, back then. I got to wondering what, if any, presence Inuit have had in Los Angeles. I didn’t have anything ready for publication on that date, though, so I set it … Continue reading No Enclave — Inuit Los Angeles
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Ask Silver Lake – SB 79 and Silver Lake’s Historic Transit-Oriented Mid-Rises
This piece was originally written for “Ask Silver Lake.” “Ask Silver Lake” is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. On 10 October 2025, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act was signed into … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake – SB 79 and Silver Lake’s Historic Transit-Oriented Mid-Rises
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Music Biographies — Babasonicos
In the 2000s, Amoeba Music enlisted an army of writers and data entry people to work on an ambitious website that was meant to be a sort of combination of Allmusic, Apple Music, Discogs, Wikipedia, and more. Despite investing a tremendous amount of time, labor and money, the site, as envisioned, never got off the ground. In 2020 — without so … Continue reading Music Biographies — Babasonicos
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Introduction to the Music of 尤雅 (Yu Yar) for the Use of the English-Speaking World
尤雅 (Yu Yar) is a pioneering figure of the Mandopop and Hokkien music scenes. Rendering her name variously as Yu Ya, Yu Yar, Yūya, or Yuyar; international audiences recognize her as a foundational 'idol' singer. Her 1970 mega-hit, 往事只能回味, ("The Past Can Only Be Remembered") defined an era and paved the way for the image-conscious … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 尤雅 (Yu Yar) for the Use of the English-Speaking World
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Music Biographies — Spade Cooley
In the 2000s, Amoeba Music enlisted an army of writers and data entry people to work on an ambitious website that was meant to be a sort of combination of Allmusic, Apple Music, Discogs, Wikipedia, and more. Despite investing a tremendous amount of time, labor and money, the site, as envisioned, never got off the ground. In 2020 — without so … Continue reading Music Biographies — Spade Cooley
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No Enclave — South African Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a global city known for its ecological, geographical, and human diversity. Since 16 December is South Africa’s Day of Reconciliation, that historic and cultural contributions of that country’s people to the identity of Los Angeles is the subject of this edition of “No Enclave.” The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is the … Continue reading No Enclave — South African Los Angeles
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Music Biographies — Jobriath
In the 2000s, Amoeba Music enlisted an army of writers and data entry people to work on an ambitious website that was meant to be a sort of combination of Allmusic, Apple Music, Discogs, Wikipedia, and more. Despite investing a tremendous amount of time, labor and money, the site, as envisioned, never got off the … Continue reading Music Biographies — Jobriath
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No Enclave — Exploring Kenyan Los Angeles
Today is Jamhuri Day -- Kenya's Independence Day -- the occasion of this edition of No Enclave. Southern California's population of Kenyans is relatively small but certainly not without its high-profile individuals. The states with the largest populations of Kenyans are Texas, Minnesota, Washington, and California -- but exact figures are hard to pin down … Continue reading No Enclave — Exploring Kenyan Los Angeles
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Ask Silver Lake – Crestmount
This piece was originally written for “Ask Silver Lake.” “Ask Silver Lake” is dedicated to exploring the history and insights of our community. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to consider, please drop a comment or send them to outreach@silverlakenc.org. Silver Lake is home to several historic hilltop estates. A couple -- Frank Garbutt's Garbutt … Continue reading Ask Silver Lake – Crestmount
Eric Brightwell 