Like the rays from a center diamond in a cluster of magnificent jewels, the annual Midwinter Number of the Los Angeles Times reaches forth across the continent, attracting thousands of readers to “the garden spot of the world.”

Long before movie patrons endured 45 minutes of trailers, and dire warnings of cell phone use, there was The Vagabond on Wilshire; artsy, 35mm programming at a very reasonable price.

The history of L.A.’s most famous topless bar. Also, Jim Morrison’s favorite place to drink.

Didn’t get the invite? A careless oversight, but you can still explore the infamous Artists and Models Ball event from 1971.

It was said that by the late 1950s, there was no specific Los Angeles city magazine. Let’s look into that.

From the days of KRLA, KMET and the CIA, the Troubadour and the Whisky, Cinematheque-16 and psychedelic coffee shops along Fairfax Avenue.

Knowing more than you think and giving it away for over two years.

A brief look at a long-forgotten but highly cherished movie from 1971.

Newly discovered negatives from the Peace Action Council (PAC) rally in Los Angeles, 1967.

Your future is all electric in Los Angeles! Start enjoying your new home, where the symbol of quality is a Gold Medallion.

Probably a good thing LA’s maddest discotheque wasn’t called the Artichoke. As it was, another hairstyle was the inspiration.

In the early 1970s, Venice-based media-freaks Environmental Communications curated 1000s of slides relating to the architecture of California. I have about thirty of them (which doesn’t sound all that impressive).