Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" goes "they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot." Well ... what if they tore down a cool place to ... improve public transit? (Insert sound effects of a Progressive's head exploding here.)

Anyway, that's what happened. The Atomic Cafe, at 422 East First Street in Little Tokyo, was a famous punk gathering spot. It closed in 1989 and the building was demolished in 2015 to make way for the subway's Regional Connector.

But luckily for Off-Ramp listeners, dublab's Mark "Frosty" McNeill created an audio love letter to The Atomic Cafe that debuted on Off-Ramp in 2016.

And when I wrote to let Mark know, he wrote back:

The timing of the podcast episode is perfect. We're actually having a free, all ages event on Saturday, May 7th 4-8pm at Union Station to celebrate the Deep Routes radio series I've been producing with Metro Arts. 

You don't need to RSVP, just put it on your calendar now, and show up on the 7th in your hightops, ripped skinny jeans, and Union Jack t-shirt. 

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

(Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.)

This story is weird even by today's standards. It starts in Milwaukee, where Dolly Oesterreich secretly kept her teen lover Otto in the attic of the house she shared with her husband Fred. When Dolly and Fred moved to L.A., Otto moved, too; and was reinstalled in the attic of the Oesterreich's house in Silver Lake.

Everything was fine until one night in 1922, and for the rest of the story, we turn to Robert Petersen, host of the podcast The Hidden History of Los Angeles.  

But wait, there's more ... I've updated this story with a new interview that may creep you out as much as the original version, which was broadcast on 1/29/2017.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

(Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.)

Phantograms; Keystone-Mast Collection; Projecting 3-D Ain't Free; Leaves of Photographs; Tim Sullivan; D.I.Y. 3-D; Reel-D; LA's First Family Of Photography; Julius Shulman; Take My Picture; Shooting History

Note from Off-Ramp Dear Listeners, Frank Stoltze is sitting in for John Rabe this week, and we're going to take you on the Off-Ramp Art Walk. We'll visit three notable exhibits in Los Angeles, a city that's become an international center for contemporary centers. Sit back and enjoy! ~ Queena and Frank Stoltze

Don't laugh! The comics are second in readership behind the front page of the newspaper. This week on Off-Ramp, we talk about the not-so-funny pages, learn about LA's society registers, and hear Tim Hawkinson's organ, now installed at the Getty. And by the way, thanks so much for your contribution during KPCC's Spring Fund Drive! -- John Rabe

My Story; The Whole Story; Tai Chi and Sleep; The Unsung Pelon; Harper Woods; Holy Gifts; Holy Icons; Oscar Honors; Oscar Shorts; Russian Pronouncer; Call Sheet

LA Phil Reaches Out; The Phil's Four Seasons ;Blacksmith Rising; The Golden Pig; The City of Mahagonny in Los Angeles; Bark Off; Transportation Trajectories; The Mayor of Gladys Park; Dragon Ball Z; LA Experience; Hip Hop; Call Sheet

Auntie Diluvium; LA River - Take Two; Take Three: Down By the LA River; Vija Celmins; Okies at the Getty; Astronauts and Cupids; Crack Time; Crossing Guard; Mighty Mo; Radio Lolly; Call Sheet; Paolo Nutini

Message from John Rabe With cold and flu season still upon us, we decided to re-run this show on germs. This week, hand washing, flu shots, and the new sneeze. And... oboist, super music agents and more -John

Rabe, baby; LAPD HQ; Populist Critique; Metergate; The View of Us Guys; Wither Jane?; ViewMaster; Paine in the Neck; To Protect and Surf; Strange New World; Poor Howard's Almanac