Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

Safe driving

Posted on July 4, 2007 by lmharnisch

Happy Fourth of July from the staff of the Daily Mirror!

Posted in Transportation, travel | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

August 18, 1944: Times reporter killed covering war

Posted on July 3, 2007 by lmharnisch

Through most of World War II, Tom Treanor provided Times readers with firsthand accounts of the battle against the Axis as his travels took him to such places as China, South America and Europe. This is the last story he … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on July 3, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 3, 1957  We have on our hands today a taxpayer in that happy frame of mind known as irate. He is enraged because he finds himself helpless at fighting City Hall. Half a dozen years ago he bought a … Continue reading →

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The Daily Mirror commuting challenge

Posted on July 3, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 3, 1957 Los Angeles We complain about traffic all the time. But how much worse is driving in L.A. than it was in 1957? We can find out. Best of all, you can help! You might be surprised … Continue reading →

Posted in 1957, Downtown, Freeways, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Matt Weinstock

Posted on July 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 2, 1957 You simply have no idea of the hazards of journalism. The city desk got a call from a woman on East 6th Street who proudly announced that she had become a great-grandmother at 48. This was indeed … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on July 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 2, 1957 This is a twist story–a reverse mystery. I’ve been presenting, for the past few months, weekly missing persons cases on file with local sheriffs and police. Each started with a living, active person, surrounded by apparent normalcy. … Continue reading →

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Faith journey

Posted on July 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 2, 1957 Los Angeles I wonder what the preacher told worshipers at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Miami about his faith journey. Did he talk about his years with the San Diego Chargers and the Chicago Bears? … Continue reading →

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Pepe Arciga

Posted on July 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1957 In the midst of clapping castanets, kicking heels and flying Spanish skirts during a whirlwind visit to La Golondrina one night last week, I asked a question of Mexico’s attorney general, Lic. Jose Aguilar y Maya. "Senor … Continue reading →

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In Rome, II

Posted on July 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1957Los Angeles The late Art Buchwald, continued.

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Literary diversions

Posted on July 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

On the Fourth of July, 1910, in Reno, Jack Johnson defeated James J. Jeffries to become the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. In 1931, at the age of 53, he was working out every day and spending … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Prowler terrorizes L.A.

Posted on July 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 1, 1957 Los Angeles Detective Sgts. W.R. "Bud" Schottmiller and J.B. Close of the Hollywood Division have little to go on after a prowler broke into an apartment to rape a young woman somewhere on Irving Boulevard (the … Continue reading →

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June bride

Posted on June 30, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 30, 1957 Milwaukee Mary and Leeland met while taking summer courses at Harvard and are so in love that they want to get married. But while Leeland loves Mary, his parents hate her. She “shot holes through our heart,” … Continue reading →

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Child beater

Posted on June 28, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 29, 1957 Los Angeles Here’s a formula for disaster: Take an unemployed 19-year-old who was booted out of the Marines after going AWOL and slashed his wrists when he was caught. Hook him up with a 21-year-old girlfriend who’s … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on June 28, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 28, 1957 Rehabilitation can come in curious ways. Let a man who occasionally checks in here tell his story of self-appraisal and reinstatement in society. One day he picked up a book, “Blood on the Boards,” by William Campbell … Continue reading →

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Cold case file–the Pied Piper

Posted on June 28, 2007 by lmharnisch

Tyler Marshall’s Column One (known at The Times as a “nondupe) on the Pied Piper is one of my favorites. And since the presumed anniversary of the incident is in late June, it seemed like a good time to share … Continue reading →

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Orchestra wives

Posted on June 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 28, 1957 Los Angeles It’s a tough life for orchestra wives. Consider the case of Joy Windsor, bandleader Charlie Barnet’s 10th wife. In May, Barnet had assured her that his days of touring were over. “I was on the … Continue reading →

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They said it

Posted on June 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 27, 1957Los Angeles "The Lord made distinctions between the races in the beginning of time. This idea of amalgamation of races and one world and all that is of the devil." J.H. Seal, chairman of the board of trustees, … Continue reading →

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Sports Arena

Posted on June 27, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 27, 1957 Los Angeles Here’s one plan that was actually built: The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Designed by the firm of Welton Becket, the arena was intended to be a 19,000-seat facility built for $5.7 million ($40,842,117.48 USD … Continue reading →

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Smog alert

Posted on June 26, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 27, 1957 Los Angeles Everybody knows that Los Angeles suffered terrible smog in the 1950s, but without statistics, all we have are stories and photos of toxic clouds obscuring the landscape. In fact, for the unfortunate people living in … Continue reading →

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In Rome

Posted on June 26, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 26, 1957 Los Angeles The late Art Buchwald always struck me as one of the least amusing humor columnists America has ever produced. But as this piece shows, he was a pretty fair writer when he wasn’t trying to … Continue reading →

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