How To LA

Episodes

Listen • 50:06

Listen • 50:06

This Old House Radio Hour: Designing for Disaster: How Los Angeles Builds Back Smarter + Saving The Outsider’s House + Four DIY Fixes: Chimneys, Circuits, Ceilings, and Steam

This week on This Old House Radio Hour—what does it mean to rebuild not just homes, but entire communities?

Sunset Magazine editor-in-chief Hugh Garvey joins us to discuss the magazine’s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires. Sunset, a voice in California architecture for over 125 years, has assembled an extraordinary coalition of architects, planners, artists, and historians. Together, they offer not just a plan, but a call to action—for fire-resilient homes, culturally grounded design, and a West that can weather what’s coming.

Then we travel from the hills of Los Angeles to the streets of Tulsa, where Danny Boy O’Connor—from House of Pain—takes us inside his remarkable second act. After bottoming out, he bought a run-down house for $15,000... and it just happened to be the house from The Outsiders. What followed was a full restoration, a pilgrimage, and a new life. We take a tour of the Outsiders Museum and meet the community that made it possible.

Later, Cheap Old Houses is back—Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein spotlight a dreamy 1870s Victorian in Fredonia, Kentucky and an off-the-grid cabin on federal forest land in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, both for under $100,000.

Plus, another round of House Rules, our listener-powered game that tests your home renovation know-how. And in The Simple Fix, we show you how to find a stud in your baseboard—without breaking the wall.

And as always, we’re taking your calls. Got a house problem, project hurdle, or just need a little advice? Call us at (877) 864-7460.

All that and more, coming up on This Old House Radio Hour.

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Listen • 14:50

Listen • 14:50

Sniffles, Sore Throat? There Are Updated CA COVID Rules

#225: Today, what you need to know about the current state of COVID-19 in LA County, and a recent loosening of state guidelines around “isolation periods” — the length of time COVID positive people are advised to stay away from others.

Guest: LAist senior health reporter Jackie Fortiér
Listen • 55:43

Listen • 55:43

HTLA, Live! Hamburger Fry + Cheeseburger Centennial

#229: Did you miss our event celebrating 100 years of cheeseburgers in Pasadena? Well - don't feel TOO bad - we got the recording right here for you. Check it out!

And make sure to keep an eye on our events page so you don't ever miss another evening of food and fun with the LAist crew at the Crawford.

Laist.com/events

Guests: Historian Hadley Meares dishes about the Pasadena past of the cheeseburger followed by Alicia Lopez of Hangaburs, Jimmy Han of Love Hour, and Jairo Bogarin of Hamburgers Nice who all talk to How to LA host Brian De Los Santos and LAist Food Editor Gab Chabrán about their passion for smashed patties, burger history, and more!
Listen • 20:41
Listen • 20:41

Social Calendar: Sissy That Nightlife
#224: Hey, How to LA listeners! We’re back with another social calendar to talk about the interesting, fun, new happenings in the city.

Guests: Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and Matthew Brinkley, a licensed psychotherapist, doctor of psychology, relationship and queer life coach. His work empowers queer folks to embrace their identity and have vibrant relationships. You may have seen his work as co-host of the TV Show “Sissy That Psyche” which just finished its first season on the WOW presents plus network. You can find him giving advice on Insta or TikTok @Dr.Brinkley.

Here’s what each person pitched for YOUR social calendar:
- The Sissy Stroll, monthly in West Hollywood
- Lover's Ball, February 8, 9pm-2am, DTLA
- Be a tourist, hike Runyon Canyon
- A day in the neighborhood: Eagle Rock!
  
  Go to Vidiot's to catch a film
  
  Grab a drink and play some pinball at Walt's
  
  Get an apertivo and some bites at Capri Club
Listen • 15:35

Listen • 15:35

100 Years Ago In Pasadena, The Cheeseburger Was Born (Probably)

#223: The cheeseburger turns 100 this year - we're pretty, anyway. (There's a few conflicting dates here) But more convincing is its birth place: Pasadena, California. That's where The Rite Stop first slapped some cheese on a patty - and it's also where Cheeseburger Week is celebrated every year. And this year's Cheeseburger Week is extra special, since it's recognized as the cheeseburger's centennial!

We're learning all about it with Hadley Meares, over cheeseburgers and fries at Paasadena's famous Pie 'N Burger.

Make sure you check out her article for more: https://laist.com/news/food/pasadena-claims-to-be-the-home-of-the-cheeseburger-but-theres-beef

Guests: L.A. historian Hadley Meares and Rob Osborn, son of Michael Osborn, owner of Pie N' Burger.
Listen • 16:56

Listen • 16:56

Wanna Go Car-Free? Try The Bus

#222: LA actually has a pretty solid bus network. But how easy (and fast) is it to ride the bus in LA? Well - that definitely depends. With more than 100 routes traveling all over L.A. County, it can be a little intimating to figure out where to go but if you're looking to save a little green for your wallet AND the planet, it's worth trying out!

HTLA's Aaricka Washington recently rode her second-ever bus in LA, and she brought the team along with her for the ride. We go from Silver Lake to her home neighborhood of DTLA, and along the way we learn about what makes LA's bus network an imperfect jewel in the world of public transit, at least according to one regular user and self-described city explorer.

Guest: Eric Brightwell, neighborhood cartographer and avid bus-goer.

Need more of an explainer? Read Aaricka's step by step guide here: https://laist.com/brief/news/how-to-ride-the-bus-in-la
Listen • 16:00

Listen • 16:00

Spay And Neuter, Yes. But What Else Can You Do To Help Shelter Pets?

#221: Today, we’re talking about the state of shelter pets in our region and what we can do to help cats and dogs — and even some other kinds of critters — in need.

Guest: Dia DuVernet, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane
Listen • 17:12

Listen • 17:12

What’s Up With The District Attorney Race? We Explain

#220: Back in 2020, when George Gascón was elected to serve as the top prosecutor in Los Angeles County, his win was considered a victory for the criminal justice movement. It was the height of the pandemic, and the racial reckoning that followed the police killing of George Floyd.

Gascón campaigned as a progressive alternative to incumbent Jackie Lacey, who local activists had criticized for years for her failure to prosecute police officers.

And he won.

But almost as soon as Gascón took office, he faced scrutiny for being “soft on crime," some from deputy D.A.’s within his own department, families of victims of violent crime, and from conservative news shows.

Now he’s up for reelection, and facing 11 challengers vying to be LA County’s next D.A.

They’re set to take the debate stage tonight (January 18th), so today we're digging into this race with LAist civics and democracy correspondent Frank Stoltze.
Listen • 16:02

Listen • 16:02

Are YOU Ready For The Big One? It's Coming: REDUX

#71: For the 30th anniversary of the deadly Northridge Earthquake, we are re-airing an episode about earthquake preparedness with a few updates.This episode originally aired on February 28, 2023.

L.A. could get get hit with a big earthquake any time within the next 30 years. Maybe even tomorrow. Preparing for such an event may seem overwhelming (or like the LAST thing on your to-do list) but we're here to show you it's not so hard to do (and might even be fun!). A trip to Smart & Final (or Costco or Wal-Mart) can set you up with what you need. Maybe REI for a few extras. Join How to LA host Brian De Los Santos and LAist science reporter Jacob Margolis on this survival shopping trip.

Guest: Jacob Margolis, LAist science reporter

For more about the earthquakes in our region, listen to The Big One: Your Survival Guide.