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The Aquarius Theatre
Can you imagine driving down Sunset and seeing the spellbinding psychedelic mural above? It once welcomed visitors to the Aquarius Theatre at 6230 Sunset Boulevard. The historic structure was painted...
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Alison Martino WEST HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE article
The Godmother: Alison Martino Preserves the History of Old LA and the Sunset StripBy Kyveli Diener When Alison Martino enters a room, it’s as if someone flipped the switch on a spotlight. Maybe it’s...
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Remembering the Old Beverly Hills’ Public Library
If I could go back in time and return a single L.A. building to its former state, I would pick the old Beverly Hills Public Library. I sat happily with other children on the floor of its screening...
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Sy Devore: Hollywood’s Swankiest Tailor
In 1944, a tailor named Sy Devore moved to Los Angeles from New York to open a 900-square-foot shop at the glamorous intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street, in Hollywood. The shop, which sold...
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Flipper’s Roller Rink
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 20.0px 0.0px; font: 21.0px Times; color: #464646} span.s1 {color: #00b3fe} It’s hard to believe but roller-skating was practically a national pastime once. It was so trendy...
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The Hollywood Ranch Market
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #1d2129} It wasn’t unusual to see personalities like Frank Sinatra, Ava Garnder or Red Skelton at the Hollywood Ranch...
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Memories of Capitol Records
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.8px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #232323} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #1d2129} span.s1 {color: #355899} Capitol...
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Dining in Los Angeles in 1971
Dining out If celebrity watching is your thing...Los Angeles Magazine Article by George Christy, Jan, 1971Archived by Alison MartinoYou could wait an hour for a booth, and then again you might not,...
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The Sheik's House in Beverly Hills
This garish mansion was the infamous 'Sheik's House' on Sunset Blvd. It had gained international notoriety for its tacky facade once located at 9561 in Beverly Hills. Back in 1978, Saudi Arabian Sheik...
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Los Angeles during the 1970s
When this photo of me standing in our driveway in BH was taken during the 1970s, we still had JJ Newberry, Food King and a local Home Silk Shop. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly would say hello to you...
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Remembering Tower Records
The Legendary Past and Celluloid Future of Tower Records on the Sunset Strip By Alison MartinoPhoto: Robert LandauIt’s impossible not to think of Tower Records when referring to the Sunset Strip. It’s...
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The Cock n' Bull on Sunset Strip
The Cock n' Bull in 1974. The CR prefix stood for CRestview.This beloved "Vintage Los Angeles" tavern located at Sunset and Doheny was not only popular with the neighborhood locals, but also with 'Old...
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Loves Wood Pit Barbecue
When you're at LOVE'S, the whole world is delicious...How I miss "Love's Wood Pit Barbecue". Back in the 1970s and 1980s, these recognizable retro structures were all over Southern California. They...
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Edelweiss Chocolates
I just adore the window display at Edelweiss Chocolates in Beverly Hills - especially around the holidays. This charming little chocolate factory has been in business in the same location since 1942....
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Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills
I couldn't think of a better place to set me loose! Graystone Manor is a hidden gem tucked away above Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills. The mansion, built in 1927 is only open during special programs such...
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Living Across the Street From Edward G. Robinson
I recently found the above vintage Polaroid photo when my mom was packing up our old house. That’s Edward G. Robinson standing in his driveway, directly across the street from where we lived on Rexford...
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Fiorucci in Beverly Hills
Photo: LA Times 1980. (Vintage Los Angeles collection) If there's ONE store from my youth that still stands out the most in my nostalgic brain, it's gotta be FIORUCCI in Beverly Hills. It was OUT THERE...
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How Go-Go Dancing Took Off at The Whisky a Go Go
The world famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip celebrates its 56th anniversary in Jan, 2019. And to celebrate this milestone, I had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Tanzini Jr. for an...
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Charles Kratka's Mosaic tiles at LAX airport. LAX had a presence in the 1940's and 1950's, but the 1960's was the golden age of flying - also known as the "Jet-age" and when the Los Angeles...
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Beverly Hills Most Famous Gas Station
As Burton Way becomes “Little Santa Monica,” an unlikely landmark welcomes people to the heart of Beverly Hills. It’s a gas station.Originally intended to be part of the Los Angeles International...
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