D.J. Waldie is a historian of Los Angeles, a memoirist, and a translator. He is the author of Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir (1995),...
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Queens of Jazz
Jazz is one of my favorite music genres. I've been a fan for almost twenty years. For me, it started with listening to my parent's old jazz records on vinyl when I was in high school. Eventually, I moved onto CDs in college and then downloading mp3s.
Waffles and Froffles for International Waffle Day
Cooked right, they’re warm and fluffy, with a glaze of buttery-syrupy goodness and a golden color to get anyone up and running to Denny’s at 2 a.m. Cooked wrong, well, waffles are still pretty delicious.
Eleanor Brodie Jones: Hollywood Star Librarian
Since 1872 the Los Angeles Public Library has been home to some very interesting librarians. This is the first of an occasional series highlighting these fascinating people, many of whom are little known but had a role in the history of the city, connecting people with ideas, information, and resources.
The Lemon Yellow Rays of Spring: Equinox Traditions
The hills of Los Angeles blossom in spring. This time of year can make traffic a bit more pleasant as the sun squeezes its lemon-yellow rays onto the mint colored hillsides of our metropolis. In the northern hemisphere, the March equinox marks the beginning of spring.
Tessa Kelso: Library Hall of Famer
As the Los Angeles Public Library celebrates Women’s History Month, it’s appropriate to remember Tessa Kelso, sixth city librarian for Los Angeles (1889-1895).
Interview With an Author: Mallory O'Meara
Mallory O’Meara is a film producer and the co-host of the “Reading Glasses” podcast. She is also a lifelong fan of classic horror.
National Deaf History Month: Celebrating an American Community
National Deaf History Month, which runs from March 13 to April 15, celebrates deaf history and promotes awareness of American deaf culture. The celebration spans two calendar months to include several key dates:
Visionary Women Who Pursued Their Dreams and Changed the World
“We’ll all grow up someday, Meg; we might as well know what we want.”—Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Remembering Old Chinatown
The Big Read this year is The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu.
Chinatown: On the Map
Chinatown in Los Angeles has been demeaned and misunderstood for about a century and a half.




!["Sunny and 75 degrees." Seen in the photograph is a bird perched on a tree branch enjoying the warm Valley weather, [1963]. Photo credit: Jeff Goldwater, Valley Times Collection hand tinted bird photo](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-08/springheader.jpg?itok=7srHQDS5)


![Deaf students in a Los Angeles classroom, taught by Mrs. Shirley Butcher, [September 1975]. Photo credit: Bob Steiner, Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection Deaf students in class](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-03/deafheader.jpg?itok=NlLMBt5x)

![Drawing of a scene from Chinatown, Los Angeles, from the book: Eine Blume aus dem Goldenen Lande; oder, Los Angeles, by Archuke Ludwig Salvador, [1878]. Security Pacific National Bank Collection Drawing of a scene from Chinatown, Los Angeles](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2025-08/chinatownheader.png?itok=2YOYJS31)
![Close up of a Junior League tourist map showing a festive looking Chinatown, [ca.1980] The Junior League created this tourist map in 1980 showing a festive looking Chinatown](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2021-04/ctmapheader.jpg?itok=avU8V94t)