🎙️ In the very first episode of the newly rebranded Foo Howser™ podcast, I sit down with historian and author Don Solosan to talk Los Angeles history, programmatic architecture, and his new noir novel, Corpse on the Run.

We dive into the story behind the Big Do-Nut Drive-In (the predecessor to Randy’s Donuts), Don’s experience with the L.A. Conservancy and L.A. Historic Theatre Foundation, and his latest creative project: a 1949 hard-crime thriller featuring mobsters, double lives, and a city full of secrets.

We also get into Don’s miniature sculptures of classic L.A. programmatic buildings and settle the ultimate L.A. food debate: Philippe’s or Cole’s?

Don Solosan has called Los Angeles home for nearly 35 years and has no plans of leaving. He’s been involved with the L.A. Conservancy and the L.A. Historic Theatre Foundation, where he developed a deep appreciation for the city’s architecture and history. These days, he's channeling that passion into fiction.

His latest book, Corpse on the Run, is a hardboiled crime novel set in 1949 Los Angeles. Danny Boy is living the good life; he’s an accountant with high-powered clients like mobster Mickey Cohen, a supportive wife, a hot mistress, a regular table at the Pacific Seas, and VIP access to the city’s most glamorous haunts. But when his network of street contacts suddenly turns cold, Danny learns someone wants him dead. And he’s not the type to wait around. He’ll dig up the truth, even if it means busting a few heads—and breaking a few hearts—along the way.

📚 Find Corpse on the Run at www.lulu.com/shop — just search Don Solosan.

🔗 More California history content: FooHowser.com

Music: "Squoosh!" By Jimit

#FooHowser #CaliforniaHistory #YourHistoryHomie #Podcast

🎧 The podcast is back and it’s got a new name!

Formerly known as Californiography, the show is now officially called Foo Howser™. Same host, same love for California’s history, food, people, roadside attractions, and everything in between… just with a name that matches the brand.

In this trailer, I’m breaking down why the name changed, what’s staying the same, and what to expect in this new chapter of the podcast.

Hit follow so you don’t miss the new episodes — coming soon to Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and wherever you listen.

Let’s keep exploring this great big backyard of ours we call California!🌴

Music: "Squoosh!" By Jimit
#FooHowser #CaliforniaHistory #PodcastTrailer #YourHistoryHomie

In this episode I sit down and chat with Eric Craig from The South LA Recap. The South LA Recap is an online platform where he explores the vast history, neighborhoods, businesses, and people in South Los Angeles.

Eric talks about his background and how it informs his work, I got to ask him questions about some of my favorite South LA Recap videos, and he shared a 1-Day South L.A. itinerary that foodies and history nerds can appreciate. 

Follow The South LA Recap My Whittier on social media and at the links below:

• Instagram: @southlarecap
• YouTube: youtube.com/@SouthLARecap
• Website: SouthLARecap.com
  

Check out the History of Fatburger video here:

https://tinyurl.com/5cbxvpun

Check out my YouTube here (Don't forget to subscribe!): youtube.com/@californiography

Follow me on social media:

• Instagram @Californiography
• TikTok @Californiography_
• Twitter @Californiograph

In this episode we dig into the history of the French Dip Sandwich and the 2 L.A. restaurants that claim to be the originators. We’ll take a look at each one’s origin story and examine the evidence to back each up. I’ll also tell you which one I believe the most, which one I prefer, and give you my go-to order at each one. 

If you haven't seen my video on the French Dip Sandwich you can watch it on my YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/33pvn5bf

(Don't forget to subscribe!)

Follow me on social media:

Instagram @Californiography

TikTok @Californiography_

Twitter @Californiograph

In this episode I sit down for my 1st interview and chat with Bobby Ruiz of My Whittier. My Whittier is a social media platform where Bobby shares a local's perspective on all things Whittier, CA. He highlights small businesses, promotes community events, and explores the history behind iconic Whittier spots. He's also the person who encouraged me to start this podcast, so you know he had to be my 1st guest.

Bobby shares his memories of growing up in Whittier, his inspiration for starting My Whittier, his favorite places to eat, and we discuss some notable Whittier locations like Oceanic Arts and the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility.

Follow My Whittier on social media and at the links below:

• Instagram: @MyWhittier
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mywhittier
• YouTube: youtube.com/@MyWhittierTV
• Podcast: https://shorturl.at/kluAT
• Website: mywhittier.com

Check out my YouTube here (Don't forget to subscribe!): youtube.com/@californiography

Follow me on social media:

• Instagram @Californiography
• TikTok @Californiography_
• Twitter @Californiograph

In this episode we "harp boont" and talk about the history of "Boontling;" the secret language of Boonville, California. One of the theories as to how it was created involves adults wanting to discuss taboo topics in front of the youngsters without them knowing what they were saying, so you know we're going to cover some of the words they created to talk about "adult topics." We're definitely going to get PG-13 in this episode.

If you haven't seen my video on Boontling you can watch it on my YouTube and see what "Zeese" looked like: https://youtu.be/jfPhoZjbZtw

(Don't forget to subscribe!)

Follow me on social media:

Instagram @Californiography

TikTok @Californiography_

Twitter @Californiograph

You can learn more about Boontling and the history of Boonville by checking out these references:

• “Boontling: An American Lingo” by Charles C. Adams
• “A Wee Deek On Boont Harpin’s” by The Boontlingers Club
• “English to Boontling” by Judy Belshe-Toernblom 
• “Harpin’ Bont: A Small Town’s Secret Language” by Jacqueline Adams
• “Images of America: Anderson Valley” by the Anderson Valley Historical Society pg. 33-42

You can support the mission of the Anderson Valley Historical Society by purchasing the books from them here: https://www.andersonvalleymuseum.org/

In this episode we talk about another one of my favorite subjects, the animal farms that were very popular in the early 20th century. 

We take a road trip to visit four examples of these animal themed attractions that once dotted the Southland. 

You can watch the videos I made about Gay’s Lion Farm and Cawston Ostrich Farm on my YouTube https://tinyurl.com/5ck6c8vf  (Don't forget to subscribe!)

Follow me on social media:

Instagram @Californiography

TikTok @Californiography_

Twitter @Californiograph

You can learn more about the California Alligator Farm and Monkey Island by checking out these References:

• “Those Queer and Always Interesting Animals:” The California Alligator Farm, Los Angeles, 1908-1930” by Paul R Spitzzeri. The Homestead Museum Blog, July 6, 2022. 

• “Reptile Farm Gave L.A. a Wild Time” by Cecilia Rasmussen, The L.A. Times. Aug. 3, 1997.

• “LAistory: Monkey Island” by Lindsay Williams-Ross, LAist. Jan. 23,2009. 

• “Monkey Business: The Lost Monkey Islands of Los Angeles” by Hadley Meares, KCET. Oct. 5, 2017. 

If you want to learn more about Gay's Lion Farm or Cawston Ostrich Farm, check out the video descriptions on YouTube, the references are listed there.

In this episode we talk about Los Chorizeros, "the New York Yankees of L.A. Baseball" and the important role that baseball played in Mexican American communities in Los Angeles and beyond.

You can watch the video I made about Los Chorizeros on my YouTube ⁠ https://tinyurl.com/Chorizeros-YouTube-Video (Don't forget to subscribe!)

Follow me on social media:

⁠Instagram⁠ @Californiography

⁠TikTok⁠ @Californiography_

⁠Twitter⁠ @Californiograph

You can read the article from Francisco E. Balderrama and Richard A. Santillan that I relied heavily on for this episode here:

https://tinyurl.com/Chorizeros-Article 

You can find the the list of "Mexican American Baseball In..." books here:

https://tinyurl.com/MexicanAmerican-Baseball-Books

You can learn more about the Institute for Baseball Studies here:

https://tinyurl.com/Institute-for-Baseball-Studies

You can learn more about the Latino Baseball History Project here:

https://tinyurl.com/Latino-Baseball-Hist-Project