Greetings, history geek:

Are you fascinated by the forgotten social history of Los Angeles, from low life to high society? Do old buildings make you swoon? Are you a good writer and a careful researcher, able to cite sources and bring old tales to life? Do you have or wish to develop a specialized knowledge of some neglected aspect of Los Angeles lore (for example: Vaudeville performers, streetcar routes, obsolete restaurants, political scandals)? Is time travel your dream date?

If the answer to most of these questions is yes, then you are a good candidate to be part of an ambitious new blog called In SRO Land, and we would like to hear from you. Read on for more information, and instructions on how you can apply to join the blog team.

Gentle reader,

1) If you were born in March we think you're special. That's why we're offering a MARCH HARES PROMOTION all month long: when they come with a fully paid passenger, the March baby pays just $3.33 for their seat, AND receives a pop culture goodie bag to take home. Pre-reservations are essential and space is limited, so contact us to reserve your spot on the last available tour PASADENA CONFIDENTIAL (3/28). And yes, crime buddies, we WILL be checking IDs!

2) SATURDAY, MARCH 28 - Crimebo's back on our popular PASADENA
CONFIDENTIAL crime bus tour, a very proper excursion into all the horrid
tales the white-gloved ladies of the town would rather we not tell. They say
each community gets the crimes it deserves, and Pasadena's have always been
extraordinary. Climb aboard for rough trade, rocket science, monkeys run amok, suicide leaps, devil worship, madmen and assorted evils that will forever change the way you look at Pasadena. (Tour eligible for March Hares promotion, see #1.) More info is at http://esotouric.com/pasadena

Gentle reader,

1) JOHN FANTE TURNS 100 next month, and we're celebrating the centennial of our favorite downtown writer with two very special free events. On Tuesday, April 7 at 7pm, Zocolo at the Hammer Museum presents a panel discussion moderated by the NEA's Director of Literature David Kipen. The panel is still unannounced, but will include our own Richard Schave, biographer Stephen Cooper, KCRW's Frances Anderton and John and Joyce Fante's children. Tickets are free but reservations required, so get yours at the link below. Also on April 8 (his actual birthday) we'll be gathering at 8pm to raise a glass at the King Eddy Saloon at 5th & Los Angeles Streets in downtown's old Skid Row.
http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/lectureseries.php?event_id=244#
   

Gentle reader,

Here is the latest update from the Esotouric bus adventures email list, a window into the offline explorations of several of your On Bunker Hill bloggers. Read on for all the news you need to join us on the bus.

Gentle reader,

Face it, all this talk of financial panic has harshed your mellow, chafed your hide and other pithy phrases expressing general malaise. Let your pals at Esotouric drop a little spark of hope into the darkness with this, our weekly email, in which we are giving away ten (!!) seats on the RAYMOND CHANDLER'S BAY CITY tour, announcing the launch of a fabulous new blog from our secret weapon JOAN "RED" RENNER and reminding you that tomorrow night our free floating salon THE HIPPODROME rolls around the Downtown LA Art Walk with some incredible performers. So buck up, bucko, and read on for all the delights of the day.      

Gentle reader,

Richard and I hope to see you downtown tomorrow night, when the old heart of the city comes back from the dead during Art Walk, and our free Hippodrome thrums with fabulous folks. Read on for all the details on this and other bus adventures...
 

Gentle reader,

Welcome to this week's installment of the Esotouric mailing list, an insight into upcoming happenings, fabulous freebies and suggested amusements to make your time in Los Angeles somewhat less tiresome. Read on for all the news you need...
 
1) THURSDAY, AUGUST 7: I'm co-presenting the THE SID SAGA: SID LAVERENTS' CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY and screening at UCLA, a chance to meet and marvel at one of the most astonishing (and long-lived) independent filmmakers California ever spawned. Once you see multiple Sids singing his Vaudeville-era crowd pleaser, you will be transformed: your life will just be a little more gleeful forever.  Info is on this page (scroll down) http://sidatucla.notlong.com