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Off-Ramp
Hosted by John Rabe

Exploring Southern California with John Rabe

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Episodes
  • California Wildlife Center's Mike Remski uses "boarding" technique to hide himself as he feeds sea lions 1, 2, 4, and 5. They don't name them because they don't want to imprint on them.
    Saving sea lions, and listening to jazz at The Blue Whale
    We spend a day with the California Wildlife Center in Malibu, which rescues all kinds of animals, but this time of year helps the growing number of sea lions that strand themselves on the beach ... Marc Haefele applauds a new program that has LACMA putting on exhibits in other museums around the Southland ... The Blue Whale, now one of Southern California’s hippest spots for live jazz ... How to celebrate Valentine’s Day without paying a fortune for a fixed-price meal.
  • John Rabe records Deb Lacusta and Dan Castellaneta reading from Castellaneta's new play "For Piano and Harpo," at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
    Who was Oscar Levant? Even Homer Simpson knows
    The voice of Homer Simpson, Dan Castellaneta (RIGHT), is also a serious writer and his new play explores the inner life of one of the last century’s most intriguing talents: Oscar Levant. ... Off-Ramp commentator Dylan Brody has finally -- FINALLY -- sold one of his comedy specials. ... And we’ll take you to a tiny thrift store that’s been supporting the work of the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic for almost 20 years.
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  • A undated photo of the back of the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown LA, purchased by Ezat Delijani in 1982 at Mayor Bradley's request.
    RIP Downtown Theater Savior - Off-Ramp 9-3-2011
    Remembering Ezat Delijani, 83; bought and saved 4 downtown LA movie palaces ... A Noise Within gets a huge new theatre ... stick-fighting in Hermosa Beach ... Nick Roman remembers covering Cerritos plane crash 25 years ago ...
  • "Mr. Flamingo" and the "Bronze Buckaroo," Herb Jeffries
    Sweet, hot and windy - Off Ramp for 8-27-11
    A different music festival, less likely to be cancelled, comes to LA. Birding with a 15 year old expert, and how to bring a tornado to Long Beach.
  • Off-Ramp turns five years old this month. One of our heroes is Robbie Eisenberg, who died in 2003. He turned 101 in 1999, celebrating with a big cake at The Pantry, and was still selling zippers in downtown LA until he was 103.
    Happy 5th Birthday Off-Ramp - 8-20-11
    The best of five years of Off-Ramp including: Tom Jones ... Heston Remembered at the DWP ... Movies at the Cemetery ... Dog Pee v Skunks ... Rabe as Arnie and Andy ...
  • Men play tug of war at a Korean Institute of Southern California picnic in 1995. But feel free to sit in the shade at your local park this weekend and do absolutely nothing.
    Your turn to talk about 9/11 - Off-Ramp 8-13-11
    CyberFrequencies launches new 9-11 project ... Marvin Hamlisch on writing music for Barbra ... Eat:LA on making goat cheese at home, and eating burgers with Obama ... ArtWalk reacts to the baby tragedy ...
  • Filming "I Love Lucy" in 1952.
    Off-Ramp Loves Lucy -- 8-6-2011
    We celebrate TV pioneer Lucille Ball on her Centennial ... Kevin's grandma remembers WW2 and the USS Indianapolis ... The LA Jewish Symphony plays Bible stories at the Ford Ampitheatre ... a trip down Wilshire in 1970s photos ...
  • Author Lisa See (far right) with (L-R) Producer Wendi Murdoch, actress Li Bingbing, director Wayne Wang, and producer Florence Sloan, at a screening of Fox Searchlights' "Snowflower and the Secret Fan" on July 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
    Lisa See Dreams of Joy on Off-Ramp 7-30-11
    Lisa See on "Dreams of Joy," the sequel to "Shanghai Girls ... "Leftover Cuties" live on KPCC's Jam and Banter ... Dinner Party Download makes you 15% smarter, 12% more attractive ... RIP Magu (Gilbert Luhan, founder of Los Four) ...
  • In this undated photo from the LA Public Library's fantastic online photo archive, a child captures Off-Ramp correspondent Hank Rosenfeld's disgust at the way officials treat the people who enjoy the free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier from blankets on the sand.
    Turturro Shares His "Passione" - Off-Ramp 7-23-11
    John Turturro on his Naples music doc Passione ... tour the new dino exhibit at the Natural History Museum ... Kidz Karmen at the Bowl ... The Man Harshes Good Vibe at SaMo Pier Concerts ... CyberFrequencies on Sexting ...
  • In Passione, Director John Turturro gets in front of the camera to dance with a few of the Neapolitans he meets on the street.
    Special: Actor and Director John Turturro on Passione, his newest film
    John Turturro talks with Kevin Ferguson about his love of Italian music, especially that of Naples, where his musical documentary takes place.
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