Curious City

Latest Episodes:

How Do Chicago’s Most Tenacious Weeds Grow? Sep 02, 2021

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Tenacious weeds like buckthorn, milkweed and goldenrod grow everywhere in Chicago from railroad tracks to sidewalk cracks. Reporter Natalie Dalea finds out how they’ve adapted to survive city life. Plus what happens to all the landscaping along the Mag Mile after the summer is over.

A Chicago Historian Tackles Your Questions About The City Aug 26, 2021

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Historian Dominic Pacyga shares his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago history and answers questions about everything from breweries to slaughterhouses. Plus, reporter Monica Eng brings us a story from Ed Kramer, who, as an eighth grader in 1941 took a field trip with his class to visit the stockyards. Yep, Chicago school kids used to do that.

Chicago’s Fishing Industry And Some Stargazing Spots Aug 19, 2021

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Chicago once had a booming commercial fishing industry. Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp is one of the last vestiges of that industry--serving up all kinds of fish that hasn't actually been caught in Lake Michigan. Reporter Jessica Pupovac finds out why that’s the case. Plus, producers Logan Jaffe and Jesse Dukes look for the best stargazing spots around Chicago. Turns out Lake Michigan offers one of them.

Chicago’s Steak And Lemonade Combo And Those Structures On The Lake Aug 12, 2021

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The beef sandwich and slushy drink combo are sold together all across the South and West sides of Chicago. Reporter Monica Eng tracks down the guy who put the two together. Then, she answers a question about what those mysterious structures out on Lake Michigan actually do.

The Union Workers Who Created Those Infamous Rat Balloons Aug 05, 2021

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Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started right here in the Chicago area. This week on the show, we dig into the origins of the iconic union labor protest mascot. Plus, Monica learns why there are so many ice cream shops in Chicago with “La Michoacana” in their name — despite having different owners, offerings, and prices.

Paletas and Paleteros: The Art of the Cart Jul 29, 2021

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Paletero Victor Cruz says selling popsicles takes “patience.” Curious City learns the tricks of the trade.

Where Did Chicagoans Go To Drink During Prohibition? Jul 22, 2021

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This week on Curious City, we’re visiting the spots where Chicagoans would enjoy their beer and spirits during Prohibition.

Chicago’s Tornado-Proof Delusion Jul 15, 2021

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In 1967 a tornado hit the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn. It’s been a defining moment in the village’s history. Thirty three people were killed that day, 500 were injured. There was at least $40 million in damages in 1967 which, adjusted for inflation, would amount to more than $250 million today. More recently a tornado damaged more than 200 homes in suburban Chicago, including heavily populated Naperville. But despite their proximity to Chicago, lots of Chicagoans still believe a tornado won’t actually hit the city. In this episode we speak with survivors of the 67 tornado and bust some myths about why cities like Chicago aren’t immune to one of nature’s most violent storms.

How Clean Is The Water At Chicago’s Beaches? Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

It’s that time of the year where we can all finally hit the beach. But our listeners have a lot of questions about Chicago’s beaches. Like, how clean is the water? How much poop is in there? And why are some flotation devices banned? Curious City’s Monica Eng puts on her sun visor and a good deal of sunscreen and tracks down the answers.

What’s The Deal With ‘Midwest Nice?’ Jul 01, 2021

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The common stereotype for Midwesterners is that we’re polite, friendly...and passive-aggressive. But is there any truth to that? Reporter Andrew Merriweather goes looking for the answer.

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