The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR

An unprecedented number of Breakfast Clubbers help make this month's audio time travel expedition our best episode yet!

Ken Hudson gets the ball rolling by welcoming everyone to the Shrine of Friendship before Braden Graeber introduces a couple of special (award-winning) guests!

We then depart to the 1930's where past club President Rufus B. von KleinSmid delivers a stirring speech. legendary conductor Ernest Ansermet appears in a rare English-language recording and past club manager Harold Link introduces the Downey Sisters, who perform two songs.

Then it's back to the recent past as Ken Hudson introduces Dr. Emily Lindsey, who reveals secrets of the La Brea Tar Pits. Nancy Rosen introduces Ken Bernstein, Principal City Planner for the Office of Historic Resources in Los Angeles' Department of City Planning, who discusses Survey LA. Christopher Hanson introduces Rhett Mauck, Director of Development at the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, who describes the type of dogs best-suited to disaster work. Sandi Hemmerlein introduces Christina Morris, the L.A. field director of the National Trust, who describes the efforts underway to safeguard Historic Route 66 and commemorate the role it played in giving safe passage across the country to people of color. Finally, Joe Selph plays "Battleship" and introduces us to Marty Golden, Chief Warrant Officer of the USS Iowa, who describes a particularly fascinating tale of high seas tension aboard that historic ship.

Through it all, club emcee Richard Gilson drops in from time to time to offer some info and inspire some laughs.

Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" giving to the heckling Roosters as good as she gets before providing us all with several thoughtful travel tips (courtesy of the club's resident tour planner Bill Siefke).

Host Phil Leirness gives you the opportunity to get better acquainted with Christopher Hanson by interviewing him about the Disney Barn, the Demille-Lasky Barn, his love of old movies, high-wasted pants, his interest in former President Richard Nixon, and the lunch he once attended with Dr. Henry Kissinger.

Finally, club president Lily Holleman previews all of the June Happenings at the Club of Hospitality as well as special docent-led tours of the Wildlife Waystation for club members and their guests.

What might be our most fascinating episode yet gets started with a lot of laughs courtesy of announcer Marc Hershon, club master of ceremonies Richard Gilson and recent "chairman of the day" Braden Graeber.

Host Phil Leirness then sets the stage for an truly adventurous time travel expedition into the past, featuring a famous explorer, a renowned Ethiopian chorus and the earliest presidents of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club.

Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" as she pays tribute to former first lady Barbara Bush, sentiments echoed by L.A. council district 13 councilman Mitch O'Farrell.

Modern Hiker's Casey Shreiner encourages us all to drink deeply from The Devil's Punchbowl.

The Don Snyder Orchestra performs the beautiful theme song from that film noir mystery classic Laura.

We get better acquainted with the Breakfast Club's delightful Megan Lee.

Club president Lily Holleman tells us of her recent travels and previews May's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship.

Finally, good ham 'n egger Robert Nichols calls in to discuss the May 12th Los Feliz Neighborhood Council election.

This episode is all about the songs, symbols, and rituals that have long made the Los Angeles Breakfast Club the "Club of Hospitality".

Of course, what makes the Breakfast Club truly unforgettable are all the colorful characters that have been members. You will hear from several of them - past and present.

Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship" as she pays tribute to our longest-tenured member. In one of our half-dozen or so historic clips this month, Reverend Barbara's predecessor shares an hilarious story.

March saw the Breakfast Club induct two new members. You will hear excerpts from these special ceremonies. Other audio highlights from the month include chef, food historian and educator Ernest Miller taking us on a journey through the "edible Gold Rush" of native Californian foods. Benjamin Dickow, President & Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center speaks about how Southern California has always been home to those exploring the frontiers of both aerospace and outer space. Mallory Furnier, executive committee chair of L.A. as Subject, speaks about the importance of archives and archivists. Finally, legendary local architect Barbara Bestor, who recently completed a 3 year renovation of John Lautner's iconic Silverlake House, Silvertop, shares personal stories of how she has redefined Los Angeles architecture.

The Don Snyder Orchestra plays a sensational Gershwin classic.

Nick Maiorino is the Secretary of the Board of Directors. He is the co-chair of the newly formed Archive and Historic Research Committee. He is the wrangler of the Roosters. And he was very nervous about getting interviewed by Phil Leirness!

Club president Lily Holleman tells us of her recent travels, previews April's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship and shares some state secrets!

If pleasure is something you enjoy, we think you will love episode 15 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR"!

As we approach the 93rd anniversary of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, we not only look back at the month that was, but we look back to the club's founding and to the creation of our longtime home, Friendship Auditorium, through historic and moving audio.

Much as the Breakfast Club cherishes its traditions, from time to time, things do change. One such change in tradition occurred this past month and we celebrate that change through poignant and delightful clips.

Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship".

Author Marcy Smothers speaks about her new book, Eat Like Walt. A tribute to visionary entertainment pioneer and former Breakfast Clubber, Walt Disney, the book chronicles Walt's rather revolutionary approach to dining at both his theme park and at his studio.

Greg Salyer, President of the University of Philosophical Research explains a little bit about the history and mission of this Los Feliz-based university.

Heather Goers, Architectural Historian from Historic Resources Group, presents a profile of noted architect Paul R. Williams.

Sarah Lann, director of education for the Los Angeles Conservancy, describes the ways the conservancy helps people to fall in love with L.A.

The Don Snyder Orchestra plays the jazzy seasonal favorite "When the Saints ".

Host Phil Leirness interviews club member Sandy Boucher.

Club president Lily Holleman previews March's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship.

All that, plus more music, lots of laughs and a few emotional and inspiring surprises. We hope you will enjoy episode 14 so much, you will share it with your friends!

We kick off the second year of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" by featuring more colorful characters than in any previous episode ...

Club emcee Richard Gilson and program coordinator Bill Siefke get things started.

One-half of the Chicago Chapter of the LABC, Maurice Terenzio, helps host Phil Leirness introduce audio from an historic newsreel featuring Reginald Denny introducing the initiation of Paul Whiteman into the Breakfast Club.

Club chaplain Reverend Barbara Adams takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship".

Club treasurer Steve McAvoy celebrates the life of a great Scottish poet.

Club board member Sandi Hemmerlein regales with the history of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Parade.

Recent club initiate (and Grammy nominee) Josep Lorge introduces Nyla Arslanian, who talks about her magazine Discover Hollywood.

Longtime director of the American Film Institute Jean Picker Firstenberg describes the institute's origin, the creation of its current campus, and sings the praises of the Breakfast Club's very own Amy Inouye.

Fletch Murray shares his hilarious feelings about the IRS before introducing the coach and members of the Crescenta Valley High School Falkon Robotics team, who tell tales of scientific and technological genius and inspiring mentorship.

Don Snyder plays the musical favorite "Wonderful World".

Host Phil Leirness interviews club vice-president Mickey Corcoran about his work with the LABC, his filmmaking career, his family, and his "Mickey magic".

Club president Lily Holleman previews February's happenings at the Shrine of Friendship

... All that and music, lots of laughs and a few emotional and inspiring surprises. We hope you will enjoy episode 13, you will share it with YOUR friends!

We wrap up the first year of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" with all sorts of festive delights, from seasonal songs to humorous poems, from heartfelt stories to the irrepressible joy of Charles Phoenix. Plus, there's a truly bizarre trip back to the 1930's for something called "Boy's Week". An interview with LABC Program Coordinator Bill Siefke and Lily Holleman (with her monthly report) give tantalizing looks ahead to 2018 at the Democracy of Ham 'n Eggs. As always, there are numerous contributions from club members like Reverend Barbara Adams, master of ceremonies Richard Gilson, filmmaker and author Steven Smith, and head of the Chicago chapter, Diane Terenzio. Thank you for taking this audio journey with us. As long as you keep listening, we'll keep making 'em!

In the penultimate episode of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR" for 2017, we hear highlights of new member initiations from November and from the 1930's. We hear three songs sung by LABC musical director Don Snyder, LABC President Lily Holleman and club secretary Erynn Petrulis. We hear about unsung women in the history of animated film, we hear a moving meditation on gratitude by club member Fletch Murray, we hear a performance of "A Christmas Carol" and stories about the founding of the Independent Shakespeare Company, and we hear a mini-horse play the piano. Seriously. All that, plus Reverend Barbara Adams sharing Thanksgiving thoughts from Samuel Adams and JFK as she takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship," an interview with the one and only Myrtle Nelson, Lily Holleman with her preview of December at the Democracy of Ham 'n Eggs, hilarious contributions from Dr. Jim Whitney and Richard Gilson, and intrepid announcer Marc Hershon keeping the show on schedule!

In episode 10 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR", we hear ghostly tales from authors Charles A. Coulombe and James T. Bartlett, we hear jokes courtesy of Breakfast Club emcee Richard Gilson and show host Phil Leirness, we hear plenty from the Roosters and we hear two musical performances from the Don Snyder Orchestra. We travel back in time to 1935 to hear Captain Dudley S. Corrette describe the mysterious land of Ethiopia and Colonel William Easterwood describe the threat posed by the aviation force at the disposal of Benito Mussolini. Contemporary highlights include photographer Annie Lasky talking about her book The Wilshire Slides: a Mother & Daughter Kodachrome Adventure, author and filmmaker (and good ham 'n egger) Steven Smith discussing legendary film composer Bernard Hermann, Nuria Haltiwanger and Steve DeWitt of ACS infrastructure celebrating the restoration of downtown L.A's beloved funicular Angels Flight, and Reverend Barbara Adams discussing imagination and creativity as she takes us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship." All that, plus an interview with the longest-tenured member of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, Dr. Jim Whitney, club President Lily Holleman with her monthly report, and intrepid announcer Marc Hershon keeping the show on schedule!

In episode 9 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR", we travel back in time for the founding of the southern California aviation industry and to hear from an Oscar-nominated writer of several classic films, books and stage plays. There is an interview with amazing club member Carole Nese, special appearances by Vivienne Powell and Richard Gilson, Lily Holleman with her monthly report and Reverend Barbara Adams taking us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship." Featuring the histories of El Pueblo de Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department, the Emmy-winning TV camera man behind Huell Howser's "California Gold", several musical performances and a couple great jokes, this month's episode offers something for everyone. So, buckle up, relax and let host Phil Leirness and announcer Marc Hershon take you on an audio time travel expedition!

In episode 8 of "The Los Angeles Breakfast Club: ON THE AIR", we celebrate the founding of Los Angeles and one of the city's "top cops". There is an interview with stalwart musical director Don Snyder, special appearances by Sandi Hemmerlein and Richard Gilson, Lily Holleman with her monthly report and both Reverend Jim Brougher AND Reverend Barbara Adams taking us down the path that leads to our continuing "Adventures in Friendship." Featuring the history of L.A.'s water supply, landmark buildings both lost and restored, a sanctuary for wildlife, tales of L.A.'s most notorious liars, and a history of hand-painted billboards, this month's audio time machine runs the cultural gamut. So, buckle up, relax and join host Phil Leirness and announcer Marc Hershon for some great stories, a couple toe-tapping musical numbers, and a lot of laughs.