Dateline>City of Angels

This week I’ll be spending a lot of time in front of the mirror. Yes, I admit to a little vanity now and then, but I won’t be working on my appearance per se. Rather, I’ll be nervously polishing my delivery skills for a talk I’m presenting to a local historical group, March 17.

The topic is “Angeleno Ghostlore,” and the audience is Las Angelitas del Pueblo, the large, dedicated organization of docents that coordinates the educational programs and walking tours of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Monument, which includes the original town Plaza, world-famous Olvera Street and several early Los Angeles buildings with a few ghost stories of their own.

I’m both excited and a little jittery. It’s been a while since my last public speaking engagement, and considering the nature of Las Angelitas, I wouldn’t want to disappoint. (The group describes its membership as having “a deep knowledge and love of the history of Los Angeles” and a commitment to sharing this passion with others.)

My talk centers around my contention that in addition to their spooky entertainment value, our region’s phantom tales also boast historical-cultural value that’s all too often ignored. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, as a form of “urban legend” Angeleno Ghostlore offers a window into the city’s past and a fascinating prism for viewing our unique culture and frequently bizarre “sense of place.”

Drawing from personal investigations and interviews, I hope to reveal L.A.’s “shadowy side” while sifting through the fact and fiction surrounding a number of legendary and obscure haunts, including City Hall, the Bradbury Building, Houdini Mansion, Hollywood Sign, and of course, Griffith Park.

Although I confess to some minor stage fright, I’m really honored by the opportunity to share this passion of mine with Las Angelitas — and I look forward to learning from them as well. Despite the topic, it promises to be a lively event.