Bay Curious

Latest Episodes:

How Old Oakland’s Historic Buildings Survived Decay (and Demolition) May 09, 2019

Show notes

Many of the classic buildings were condemned and padlocked in the 1970s before an architect undertook a massive project to restore them.

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Meet Charley Parkhurst: The Gold Rush’s Fearless, Gender Non-Conforming Stagecoach Driver Apr 25, 2019

Show notes

Read our web story: Meet Charley Parkhurst: The Gold Rush’s Fearless, Gender Non-Conforming Stagecoach Driver

Reported by Jessica Placzek.

Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Katie McMurran, Rob Speight, Suzie Racho, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org.

Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

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From Arks to Anchor-Outs: The History of Waterfront Living on Richardson Bay Apr 18, 2019

Show notes

People have been living for free anchored in Richardson Bay for decades, but living on the water in Marin County goes all the way back to the state's early days.

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The Flying Aircraft Carrier That Once Called Moffett Field Home Apr 11, 2019

Show notes

If you’ve driven north on 101 through Mountain View, you really can’t miss Moffett Field. Seeing the giant open airfield is one thing — but what really grabs the eye is the larger-than-life birdcage-looking structure known as Hangar One. This week on the show, we learn why the airfield was built, what majestic airship that was once house there, and what’s going on at Moffett Field now.

Read the web story: That Giant Structure Off 101 Once Housed a Flying Aircraft Carrier

Reported by Rachael Myrow.

Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Robert Speight, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Suzie Racho, Ethan Lindsey, Pat Yollin and David Weir.

Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. We’d also love your questions about Lake Tahoe at baycurious.org/tahoe.

Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

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Why is Piedmont a Separate City From Oakland? Apr 04, 2019

Show notes

Piedmont is surrounded on all sides but the city of Oakland, yet has remained an independent city since it incorporated in the the late 1800s. We take a closer look at the wild circumstances that lead Piedmont to form, and discuss some of the tensions that exist between Oakland and Piedmont residents today.

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Lightning Round: Where Kids Live, Palo Alto’s Two Downtowns and S.F.’s Weeping Women Mar 28, 2019

Show notes

We answer three listener questions: Where do kids live in the Bay Area? Why does Palo Alto have two downtowns? And what's with the 'weeping women' statues at the Palace of Fine Arts?

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Yabba Dabba Don’t? A Trip Inside the (Now) Controversial Flintstone House Mar 21, 2019

Show notes

If you’ve ever driven northbound on Interstate 280 through Hillsborough, you’ve surely seen The Flintstone House from the highway. A cluster of orange and purple tubular domes, the home is reminiscent of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon.

The house has always had it’s fans and detractors, but recent renovations have sparked controversy, and prompted the city of Hillsborough to sue the homeowner and declare the home a “public nuisance.”

The renovations include the addition of several large sculptures in the back yard: three 15-foot dinosaurs, a giraffe and a mammoth. There’s also the more benign infrastructure improvements, like a retaining wall, steps and a parking strip.

In this episode of Bay Curious, we revisit our 2017 story that includes a tour of the home (web version: What’s That Thing Off 280? The Flintstone House) and we get an update on the controversy.

Reported by Rachael Myrow.

Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Katie McMurran, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Suzie Racho, Ethan Lindsey and David Weir.

Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org.

Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Bill Graham’s Nazi Escape Might Explain His Fillmore Apples Mar 14, 2019

Show notes

The barrel of free red delicious apples have been a mainstay of the iconic San Francisco music venue.

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Know, Know, Know Your Boats, Drifting Through the Bay Mar 07, 2019

Show notes

The San Francisco Bay is full of boats, but do you know what most of them actually do?

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This Pricey San Francisco Cocktail Was a Gold Rush Knockout Feb 28, 2019

Show notes

This mysterious (and super-strong) cocktail cost $25 — and drove 19th century San Francisco wild. Why? It was probably the secret ingredient, that could get you jail time if you used it today.

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