Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in their purse, and nothing particular to interest them on shore, Alexis Hall thought they would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. Unfortunately, the boat they were in sank with all hands, and they were rescued...
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Interview With an Author: Del Howison
Del Howison is an award-winning editor, journalist, fiction author, and actor. He has been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award four times (and won it once), for the Black Quill Award twice, for the Shirley Jackson Award and for the Rondo Hatton Award.
Helter Skelter in the Summer of 1969
1969 was a tumultuous year. The US Apollo 11 mission brought men to the moon, and the Beatles gave their final live performance. Richard Nixon was sworn in as President, the war raged on in Vietnam (along with huge protests), and the draft was reinstated.
Bringing the Heat!
The Los Angeles basin cannot escape the fact that its climate tends to extremes, particularly of the hot variety. Global warming and galloping urbanization have exacerbated the situation Temperatures have increased over the past century, while heatwaves are becoming ever more common and last longer.
Video: Navigating L.A. in the Pre-GPS Era
Before the advent of GPS and smartphones, residents of Los Angeles were wholly dependent on the street guide to navigate their sprawling metropolis. In this video, map librarian Glen Creason explores the history of the L.A. street guide, and explains why they are still relevant today:
Interview With an Author: Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston grew up in the swamps of Southern Louisiana, where they cultivated an abiding love for honey butter biscuits and stories with big, beating hearts.
Bring the Kids! Fun at the California Alligator Farm
Before Mickey and his Magic Kingdom, there was Billie the Alligator and his reptilian pals at the California Alligator Farm.
Interview With an Author: Sarah Gailey
Hugo award winner Sarah Gailey lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Their nonfiction has been published by Mashable and the Boston Globe, and their fiction has been published internationally.
Going With the Flow: The Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial
It’s been over forty years, but the water is flowing again at the Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial.
What the 4th of July Looked Like in Vintage Los Angeles
Independence Day aka the Fourth of July commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen (American) colonies were no longer subject to Great Britain's rule, but were united, free, and independent states.
Interview With an Author: Kris Waldherr
Kris Waldherr is an award-winning author, illustrator, and designer. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, and her fiction has been awarded with fellowships by the Virginia Center of the Creative Arts and a reading grant by Poets & Writers.


![Deputy sheriffs lead Charles Manson to court during the Sharon Tate murder trial, [1970]. Herald Examiner Collection Charles Manson being lead away by deputies](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2024-02/manson2header.jpg?itok=L9xaRTfL)
![“Real cool pool: Little David Allan Siddon, 2 1/2, splashes happily in his plastic wading pool…while young David was cooling off, temperatures soared to highest this year—a scorching 107,” [1957]. Valley Times Collection Baby splashing in a pool](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-07/splashheader.jpg?itok=xmsSVikZ)


![Color postcard of California Alligator Farm with a baby surrounded by baby alligators, in Los Angeles [ca.1911] Color postcard of California Alligator Farm, in Los Angeles [ca.1911]](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-07/gatorbabyfarmheader.jpg?itok=8QtCS0GM)


![Fireworks at Los Angeles City Hall, [2002]. Gary Leonard Photo Collection fireworks at Los Angeles City Hall](https://www.lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/whats_on_list_120x90/public/blogs/2019-06/4thheader4.jpg?itok=fn9E4H_-)
