Off-Ramp

UPDATE 4-27-2010: Alan Rich, the dean of the classical music critics, died Friday in his sleep at the age of 85. He could be crusty and impatient, but he was always relevant and never boring, and I'm sorry he only appeared on Off-Ramp once: When I was looking for someone to put Esa-Peka Salonen into perspective last year, he was the perfect choice. He welcomed me into his house on the West Side, and was gracious and friendly -- even when my batteries died midway through the interview and we had to start again. RIP, Alan Rich, and thanks. -- John Rabe
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As Esa-Pekka Salonen concludes his tenure as the music director of the LA Philharmonic, John Rabe talks to classical music critic Alan Rich about an end of an era.

We go to a birthday party for the world's oldest person. Gertrude Baines of South LA is 115, and an aging expert says she's going strong.

This fall, Walt Disney's heirs are set to open a 112-million-dollar Disney museum in San Francisco. New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes wrote about the family's efforts and told Off-Ramp's Queena Kim that the museum hopes to show Disney's human side.

Ok, it wasn't THAT weird (left), but Off-Ramp commentator Hank Rosenfeld takes us on a surreal trip to his local barbershop.

Sixty years ago today, three-year-old Kathy Fiscus fell down an abandoned well in San Marino. Kathy's disappearance marked a transformation in journalism: the beginning of live reporting. Patt Morrison talks to veteran KTLA reporter Stan Chambers, who reported the event and USC historian Bill Deverell.

John sits in on a masters class in conducting, which was led Jorma Panula of the Sibelius Youth Orchestra. Panula is Esa-Pekka Salonen's mentor.

KPCC's Susan Valot remembers the Anaheim Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart.