Charles Schulz got hate mail, and newspaper editors threatened to pull his strip "Peanuts," after he showed Charlie Brown meeting Franklin Armstrong on the beach on July 31st, 1968. All because Franklin was Black ... in fact, the first Black character in a mainstream daily comic strip.

This time on Off-Ramp, we're listening back to my 2014 interview with the two friends who made it happen: Harriet Glickman, a white teacher, and Ken Kelly, a black aerospace engineer.

Harriet died two years ago at 93, and Ken died a year ago at 92 ... and by the way, Ken has an amazing life story you'll hear about at the end of the episode.

Advisory: Ken and Harriet use old fashioned language to describe Black people. They use the polite terminology of the time, NOT the N-word, but if this is upsetting to you, you should skip this episode.

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.)

Pico Boulevard, Pico Union, Pico Rivera ... they tell the story of one of the most fascinating figures in California's 19th Century history: Pio Pico, the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule, and a revolutionary who helped make the missions forfeit their land. But at the time of his death, he couldn't afford his own grave. Off-Ramp contributor Chris Greenspon has his quintessentially Californian story.

Originally broadcast September, 2015.

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.)

Director Florian Gallenberger tells KPCC's John Rabe about making the award-winning film, "John Rabe."

Ashes of Oakridge

KPCC's Off-Ramp welcomes PBS's "This Old House" to Los Angeles. Norm and Kevin tell all to host John Rabe.

"John Rabe" director Florian Gallenberger in conversation with KPCC's John Rabe ... Puppet shows on the 405... Ellen Geer brings out religion, notorious Milady in adaptation of "Three Musketeers" at Theatricum Botanicum ...

This Old House finally comes to LA ... "Sister Carrie" too controversial, Theodore Dreiser was scandalous, too ... Harry Partch adds a bajillion notes to the scales ... Dinner Party Download's dinner with Wallace Shawn ... Skirball Center exhibits The Chosen albums ...

A money management class at a homeless shelter ... Jon Bon Jovi supports LAMP with a tour ... Russ Parsons: how to bbq without stress ... MUST READ: Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" ... Queena Kim says goodbye ... Lisa See on her latest: "Shanghai Girls" ... a violin master class with Jennifer Frautschi.

Joel Grey - a Broadway, Silver Screen, and TV triple threat - talking with KPCC's John Rabe about his almost 60 years in show business.

Actor and Director Joel Grey ... Shirley Jahad's EV diaries ... James Beard Foundation award winners Jonathan Gold and Colman Andrews ... Eat-LA, a guide to help you avoid "Food Panic" ... Dinner Party Download meets Marissa Silver ... Cabaret with The Brown Betties ...