It’s Always Spooky Season For This LA Author (And Other Headlines)

I’ve mentioned my love for October in previous newsletters because I love all things Halloween and scary, spooky things. But for L.A. author Rhode Montijo, his studio celebrates the season all year long.

Skeleton kid adventures

When you go inside the children’s book author’s space, you’ll see black and orange adornments that show off Montijo’s almost three-decade art career and collection of vintage Halloween decorations.

Montijo’s latest picture book, Skeletown: Sí. ¡No!, is inspired by another fall tradition, Día de los Muertos. The story explores the adventures— and misadventures— of two calavera kids in just two words.

Here’s a little preview of the book:

Wilfredo, the worry doll, is always concerned about Skully's antics. In this scene, the skeleton boy rides a bike with one hand.

(

Ashley Balderrama/Ashley Balderrama

)

My words are not enough to capture what his studio looks like and the illustrations in Montijo’s book — you’ll just have to see it. Read the story and see all the photos right here.

Stay safe and cool, L.A. There’s more news below — just keep reading. 

How To LA

We’re here to help curious Angelenos connect with others, discover the new, navigate the confusing, and even drive some change along the way.

Listen Now

More news

(After you stop hitting snooze)

• Republicans have elected Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., to be speaker of the House. The election ends a three-week vacancy after the ouster of Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy that brought legislative work to a halt and plunged the conference into disarray.
• The 22-year-old driver arrested and released after a deadly crash along Pacific Coast Highway last week was re-arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder. He was initially booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and released pending further investigation.
• Tensions are high among American voters ahead of presidential contests next year, according to a new national survey released today by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in partnership with the Brookings Institution.
• The Solstice Canyon area in Malibu was closed Tuesday following reports of a mountain lion trying to attack a dog.
• The legendary Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood is reopening on Nov. 9 with a screening of the David Fincher thriller, The Killer.

Wait... one more thing

LGBTQ+ History Month Events

An exhibit item in Phranc: The Butch Closet titled, Shirt and Tie (2022) by Phranc. 33” x 35” x 3”. The mediums used for this piece were kraft paper, gouache and thread.

(

Courtesy of Circa

)

Did you know October is LGBTQ+ history month? It goes back to 1994 when a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson, felt we needed to dedicate time to learning and teaching LGBTQ+ history, which isn’t consistently covered in education. Here’s a list of all the events happening in L.A. if you want to learn more about the city’s rich LGBTQ+ history written by my colleague Caitlin Hernández.

And speaking of Caitlin, they recently joined host Brian De Los Santos on the How To LA podcast for an episode on finding and creating queer joy in the community. Listen to it here.

BONUS: Since we’re on the topic of events, if you’re trying to get a head start on Halloween weekend, I have the event for you! The hit podcast Spooked comes to Los Angeles as host Glynn Washington and guests celebrate All Hallows' Eve with a night of Snap Judgment LIVE storytelling magic. Get your tickets here.