For the first Off-Ramp podcast episode, let's go back to that amazing day in 2013 when my friend Chris sent me a message:

"Hey, John. My sister and her husband just bought a home in the Valley with a fallout shelter that hasn't been touched in decades. Wanna do an Off-Ramp piece about it?" 

Would I? Should you wear a sport coat to Musso & Frank? Are horizontal fence slats getting old? Are you legally required to take visiting relatives to The Huntington? Yes!

The piece you're about to listen to was probably the most popular one we ever did, in no small part due to the great photos by Mae Ryan. 

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.)

Welcome from host John Rabe, a public radio veteran and bon vivant who turned exploring Southern California into a radio art form on KPCC's Off-Ramp. Now, he's sharing stories from the Off-Ramp archive - in a lead-lined vault deep beneath Mt Wilson - with you!

Check your feed every Friday, then sit back, listen, enjoy ... and then get out and make your own SoCal adventures!

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 ...