16 Comments
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Rick Eastes's avatar

I moved to the LA Times after columnist Herb Caen passed at the San Francisco Chronicle in 1997. Sometime after that I "discovered' Chris Erskine scattered throughout the Times doing everything from sports to 'whatever', and have now followed him to Substack.

I've read his books, I read him twice weekly on line, and even had a chance to meet and chat with Chris at a book signing a few years back.

Now, I'm happy to 'reward' Chris for providing his often unusual but friendly, funny, and topical commentary on the vagaries of life that need his weekly sunshine to make it worthwhile. Cheers!

Chris Erskine's avatar

Thank you, my friend.

Dudley 1624's avatar

It’s about time. You deserve a much bigger audience.

Chris Erskine's avatar

Thank you. Grateful to every single reader.

Forrest Gale's avatar

Something is both lost and gained in monetizing talent, but this writer is marvelously creative in the domestic literary canon and his unique wryly humorous and trenchant observations on the West Coast/ L.A. life have delighted readers for many years. There is the matter of need, and he is certainly worth sponsoring in his rambles through the pith and landscape of the L.A. experience. Sign up for the warm, lovely, funny, provocative ride. I will.

MARGIE MCCLURE's avatar

I love your column and am so glad you're continuing. What would my Wednesdays and Saturdays be without thoughts from Chris Erskine?!

Kat C. from CA's avatar

See you on Substack, Chris. All the best with your new move!

Miriam Hernandez's avatar

Where can I find a digital version of “A Workplace Hero in a Hawaiian Shirt” which ran last week’s Pasadena Outlook?

I would like to share with old newsroom colleagues…former inmates from various asylums.

Chris Erskine's avatar

Thanks for reading. I posted it after I archived everything from Wordpress so, unfortunately, it's not in the archive here yet but it will be soon. For now, you can go directly to the Beverly Press edition: https://beverlypress.com/2026/03/a-workplace-hero-in-a-hawaiian-shirt/

Nancy's avatar

Thanks for asking for thy article, I got to enjoy it just now as well!

Caroll Schwartz's avatar

I will follow you to the ends of the earth (or the internet at least), no matter how much it costs. The pups can learn to eat a little less.... Thanks for the joy your posts give all of us. The least we can do is show you the money! XOXO

Forrest Gale's avatar

How does one access the previous column archive from Wordpress, now the shift to Substack has been effected?

Pete Helgren's avatar

Happy to subscribe. Besides, I owe you for all that money I borrowed from you in middle school to feed the vending machines for lunch...

Dana Klein's avatar

This is terrific! I am so happy to finally be able to support the stories and pictures I love and have enjoyed for so many years. Thank you Chris!

Sue Mellado's avatar

Be there or be square 😂 meet you on Substack. 😎❤️

Joanna's avatar

Thanks for letting me know!