Before There Were Smoke Alarms…
Newscasters issued frequent reminders throughout the weekend that in addition to turning our clocks back, we should check the batteries in our smoke alarms.
Before There Were Smoke Alarms… Read More »
DST Gives an Extra Hour: Spend a Few Minutes Here, Grinning Ear-to-Ear
I was poking through my site thinking, “What would be most fun to read for someone who is relishing a little extra time…”
I would love it if you would spend the full extra hour we gain cruising the site, but I’m realistic, so what I’m going to share with you is one of my favorite posts. It’s about the Apollo Theater, and it’s special because of the video of Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers in “Jumpin’ Jive.”
The video is embedded toward the bottom of the post, and the Nicholas Brothers rise out of the audience for their dance number about 1:30 into the video… I guarantee you will love it. The Apollo Theater and How It Shaped Entertainment.
It only takes a few minutes to watch but you may want to watch again… It’s that good!
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Office Machines and Practices of the Past
One of the stories on the site that gets a lot of attention is the newsletter I wrote about Office Life–what it was like in the past.
Many of the people who locate the newsletter have come there to read about Bette Nesmith Graham, the inventor of Liquid Paper. (She’s the second story.)
Other than the frustrations of typewriters, what else do you remember about offices of the past?
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Exhibit About Alcatraz Currently Open on Ellis Island
The very name, Alcatraz, stirs fear and a twinge of excitement at the thought of the stories of the men incarcerated there. From 1934 to 1963 Alcatraz Island served as the first maximum security federal prison in the United States. It was hoped that the location would make it escape-proof, and therefore, a good place to put the worst-of-the-worst.
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Before GPS Units, We Used Maps
“Let’s stop for a map,” were words I heard my father say many times as I rode in the backseat of our family car.
Young people would be amazed to learn that there was a time when drivers had to navigate on their own, without the aid of a GPS unit. We couldn’t even “google” driving directions for where we were going–we had to figure it out.
And if the distances were far, we had to wait to pick up a map as we drove into each new part of the country.
This month’s newsletter tells of early “route guides” and early maps… and why and when gas stations stopped giving out maps for free. Check it out: Before GPS: Road Maps.
Before GPS Units, We Used Maps Read More »
Only in L.A.
Usually when I write, I am thinking “only in America.” This morning I am thinking, “Only in L.A.”
It is October 19 and this first photo is typical of the scene in most communities right now.
But across the street is this house… All set for a winter time commercial. I assume they will take down the witch who knocked herself out on the front door, and I’m not quite certain why they didn’t cover the bushes with cotton when they did the other prep, but over the course of the day, I’ll be checking it out.
There’s something magical about living where the town’s business centers on creating magic. One day I may just take all this in stride but right now I find it great fun to open the door to something totally new happening down the block.
So Happy Whatever Holiday from Hollywood!
This photo shows the clear line between the neighbors’ home and the home for the commercial.