In 1954, Maila Nurmi shocked the world as sexy horror host Vampira on KABC. She rocketed to national, then worldwide stardom, then quickly faded ... although her character was a clear blueprint, much later, for Cassandra Peterson's "Elvira" character on TV and in the movies. Nurmi died in 2008.

In 2010 Off-Ramp contributor R.H. Greene, who became friends with Nurmi in her later years, told her story for Off-Ramp in a documentary called "Vampira and Me." (The radio doc became a film in 2012.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

"I would run my sticky fingers across images that seemed to be beamed from some magical, alternative universe where people gave dinner parties and owned patio furniture." -- David Dean Bottrell's "Crafty Little Christmas" 

Every year, I'd put my name next to twenty toys in the JC Penny and Sears Christmas catalogs, and guess what ... every year I wouldn't get everything I wanted. And every years I was sorely disappointed. Big surprise. It took a long time before I woke up,  changed my ways, and discovered a lot more happiness on Christmas. 

The Christmas catalog played a slightly different role for actor/writer/teacher/Kentuckian/homosexual David Dean Bottrell, and this week, we're setting the proper mood for the season -- don't be greedy! -- by listening to his story "A Crafty Little Christmas," which he performed for "Once Upon a Christmas" in 2012. (We first broadcast it on Off-Ramp in 2013.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

Pasadena artist Kenton Nelson ... Hipstamatic & Instagram v News ... new voting tech via crowdsourcing ... Giant Rock = Boffo Muz Biz? ... RIP Firesign Theatre's Peter Bergman ...

Blind mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin's new album, "Do You Dream in Color?" ... the music of "John Carter" ... a last Bookmobile ... the Flying Pigeon's bikes for the citizen cyclist ... What is Steam Punk? ...

Assemblyman Mike Gatto proposes cottage food law for home cooks ... why is this man fascinated with Apocalypitc visions of the 1970s ... Materials and Applications intrigues Silverlake, world ... The Jazz Bakery gets a new home, at last ...

Tim Robbins with Off-Ramp host John Rabe, in-depth

Rabe (again) takes up the cause of stopping handicap parking placard abusers ... LA's condom law and its impact on the porn industry ... Autumn de Wilde photos of a pig slaughter in a tasting room? ... the Pasadena Conservatory screens for dedication, not talent ... Tim Robbins and The Actors Gang bring back 1984.

In a special Off-Ramp podcast, John Rabe's (mostly) uncut interview with Cheech Marin about Chicano art, including an exclusive tour of Marin's huge Chicano art collection, and his memories of Cheech&Chong.

Cheech Marin gives Off-Ramp an exclusive tour of his Chicano art ... Lincoln Elementary 5th graders on love and Valentine's Day ... Love among the Bonobos ... Nico Case reborn ... "Finding Nemo's" flexible sexuality ...

Lisa See talking with Off-Ramp host John Rabe about Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy, two bestselling novels about the Chinese-American immigrant experience.