Los Angeles in the 70's was the center of the new age movement.  Uri Geller was bending spoons, Jeanne Dixon was making predictions, Linda Goodman had just come out with "Sun Signs" (the first mainstream book on astrology), Kenny Kingston was conjuring up Marilyn Monroe's spirit every Halloween at the Roosevelt Hotel, and the list went on.  This was also the center of where UCLA had a whole paranormal research department where they really were "staring at goats" and otherwise trying to find out whether or not psychic talents could be used for cold war purposes in the fight against Russia.  Jody was at the heart of it all, even down to going UFO hunting up in Topanga Canyon.