Category Archives: San Fernando Valley

Arsonists set fire to university offices, Colts win over Rams, December 9, 1968

Posted on December 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

  The Rams were supposed to beat the Chicago Bears and then face the Baltimore Colts to determine the division championship. But a series of mistakes — and the Bears — got in the way as the Rams lost, 17-16. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Education, Front Pages, Politics, San Fernando Valley, Sports | 2 Comments

Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958

Posted on November 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo. Murder victim Mabel Monahan. “As you went in the front door, what was the first thing that attracted your attention?” “Mrs. Graham was striking Mrs. Monahan in the face with a gun. She was standing … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 3 Comments

I Want to Live — The Barbara Graham murder case, November 16, 1958

Posted on November 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above: Barbara Graham, one of four women to be executed in California, along with Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli, Louise Peete and Elizabeth Duncan. The trailer–dig those bongos! Gerry Mulligan! Five years after the execution of Barbara Graham in the Mabel … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 10 Comments

October 22, 1958: Mob suspected in bookie’s killing

Posted on October 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Clifford Rue was a man who was ahead of his time and behind on the payments to his bookie. A former Marine who changed his name from Rubenstein for business purposes, Rue had been working at his father’s liquor store … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Los Angeles history — Valley dining

Posted on September 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

I loved going to the Samoa House as a youngster growing up in the Valley inthe ’60s.  The rib dinners were great.  I loved the blue cheese saladdressing.  I recall there were several different rib dinners and the priceswere probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Los Angeles history — noir

Posted on September 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Los Angeles Conservancy is sponsoring a one-day tour of sites titled "L.A. NOIR-chitecture, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 9. The locations have become famous in noir fiction and film and include the Formosa Cafe (James Ellroy’s "L.A. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, books, Film, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Wife ends family fight with shotgun, August 18, 1958

Posted on August 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

August 18, 1958 Ralph Atkinson, 28-year-old upholsterer of 6609 Beeman Ave., North Hollywood, left home early Sunday to buy a newspaper. On the way back, he decided to stop at a bar and have a drink. Or two. Or three. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Topanga Canyon blaze

Posted on July 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

spark from an electrical short in the pump house at Hertz Ranch was blamed for a fire that burned 125 acres before it was contained, The Times says. Six other fires were also burning in Southern California, The Times says. … Continue reading →

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May 31, 1938

Posted on May 31, 2008 by lmharnisch

Floyd Roberts of Van Nuys, who gained much of his experience on the dirt track at Ascot, wins the Indianapolis 500. Roberts averaged 117.2 mph in a four-cylinder car (at left) built and owned by Lou Moore and designed by … Continue reading →

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May 5, 1958

Posted on May 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, migration of Los Angeles Jews to the Westside and the San Fernando Valley is reflected in the sale of the Eastside Jewish Community Center, 2317 Michigan. Below, Los Angeles begins Cinco de Mayo celebrations with a Sunday picnic, with … Continue reading →

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April 12, 1938

Posted on April 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Yiddish theater in Los Angeles! Below, the Harry Raymond bombing case is about to go to trial. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty … The bishop of Los Angeles has a Holy Week message on the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion, Robberies, San Fernando Valley, Stage, Suicide | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

April 10, 1958

Posted on April 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Half a century does nothing to erase the pain of this picture. The young man is David Greenstein and he’s being comforted by his mother, Gladys, after a coroner’s jury ruled that his slaying of his father, Rubin, was justifiable … Continue reading →

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Girl strangled

Posted on April 9, 2008 by lmharnisch

April 4-June 12, 1958 Los Angeles "I think I just killed a girl."Cary had killed her, all right. Strangled her with her sweater. Afterward, he drove around the Valley with her slumped under the dash until the left front wheel … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on April 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

April 7, 1958 I’ll post more on this story soon. Stay tuned….

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Encino memories

Posted on March 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

March 26, 1938 Los Angeles

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March 24, 1908

Posted on March 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the daily horoscope as it existed a century ago. Below, the plight of hobos who are running afoul of a tough constable around Burbank. In an interview, a homeless man complains of being sentenced to the chain gang … … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on March 20, 2008 by lmharnisch

March 20, 1958 Barbara Ridley is 25. She’s the mother of four sons, ages 6, 4, 3 and 1. She’s also part of the unpleasant headlines you’ve been reading this week. She’s the wife of 36-year-old James Vernon Ridley, who … Continue reading →

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Feb. 8, 1958

Posted on February 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

 

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Matt Weinstock

Posted on February 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Feb. 5, 1958 AROUND TOWN–Naughty youngsters are filling paper bags with water and putting them in the seats of sports cars parked near KTLA. When the owners get in their cars in the dark, squish … Note of anachronism: A … Continue reading →

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Paul Coates

Posted on February 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Feb. 4, 1958 Mrs. Shannon is not against progress. Her argument is not with the achievement itself. It’s with the method employed to reach it. She phoned me last night with her story. "I live at 16200 Gilmore St. in … Continue reading →

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