In looking over my collected news chum, I’ve got a bunch of articles that seem to be saying “history” to me. Note that, in some cases, the history isn’t the article, it’s in my commentary:
- Callboxes. The SF Chronicle is reporting on how callboxes are being removed from state highways. This isn’t a surprise; cellphones are killing the callbox. Of course, what they forget is that callboxes are vital when your cellphone is dead (which can happen). Where’s the history? I was surprised that the article didn’t mention the origin of callboxes: they were started down here in LA County by Kenneth Hahn, a county supervisor.
- Historic Space. The former TRW campus at One Space Park isn’t that far from my office. Now, of course, it is Northrop Grumman… but more importantly, it’s being designated a historical landmark. This is a good thing. The article does go into the history of TRW and does mention STL (but neglects to mention that my current company, Circle A Ranch, was actually a spin-off of STL, just as SDC was a spin-off of Rand).
- Getting to the Punch. Edsel Ford wants his punchbowl back, but he doesn’t know where it is. Actually, the story behind the punchbowl is interesting. Only the rich…
- Pastrami and History. Marvin Saul has died (and was even memorialized by Mel Brooks!). Don’t recognize the name? He was the founder of Juniors Deli, one of the more famous delis in West LA. In LA, you see, there are specific deli groupings. Those in the West Valley are devoted to Brents Deli, although some of us are more partial to Weilers Deli (but only the Northridge location; the other locations are just pretenders). Those in the East Valley are partial to Arts Deli. Westside, as I mentioned, is primarily Juniors, but Zuckys is fondly remembered by some, and Culver City folk like Roll and Rye. Those in Pico-Robertson go to Factors. Those in the Fairfax area are partial to Canters, and those near downtown are devoted to Langers. Why mention all these delis? Because I kept remembering a Saul’s Deli*, but evidently it was my imagination. There are some (ehhs): I’ve never been that impressed with the various Jerry’s Delis, which took over Solley’s, and Fromin’s has just never had the right vibe for me.
*: What I was thinking of was “Eddie Saul’s Deli“, which replaced Du-Pars at Hayvenhurst and Petit in Encino, and was later replaced itself by Jerry’s Deli. Saul’s Deli had a logo reminiscent of Junior’s sign. ETAA: And to bring things full circle, according to this site, Eddie Saul was the brother of Marvin Saul, the owner of Juniors who just died.
Saul’s Deli ( not Eddie Saul’s, as I remember ) was on Ventura Blvd. between Petit and Hayvenhurst, not far from a little store called Stardusters.
When Du-Par’s closed in the 80’s, Jerry’s Deli took over, and has been there ever since.
I lived in that part of the Valley from the 60’s to a few years ago. I don’t remember any Eddie Saul’s Deli, but Saul’s had the most fabulous pickles that they would serve in wooden bowls.