Curious City

Latest Episodes:

From Plastic Bags To Hot Potatoes: Hacks For Staying Warm This Winter Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Chicago winters can be long and brutal. Curious City’s Monica Eng spoke with postal workers and other Chicagoans who spend a lot of time outdoors about how they dress for warmth during the winter. Also, we hear from a listener who asks what happens to the colorful landscaping along Michigan Avenue during the winter months.

Why You Should Skip Delivery Apps And Other Ways To Support Local Businesses Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

A listener wanted to know some practical things he could do to support struggling businesses. Monica Eng shares tips from industry experts on how to support small businesses like bookstores and music venues. She also talks with chef Beverly Kim about how female restaurateurs in Chicago have been supporting one another during the pandemic.

Why Are There So Many Thai Restaurants In Chicago? Jan 21, 2021

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This week we hear why Chicago has so many Thai restaurants and a renowned Thai chef offers up some tips for how to get the full experience of Thai cuisine. Hint: no chopsticks.

Did All Chicagoans Support The Civil War? Jan 14, 2021

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In this week’s episode we revisit a question we first answered in 2018. What was Chicago’s response to the Civil War? Chicagoans support for the war was actually quite varied and changed as the war progressed. To answer the question we focus on the experience of Irish Americans and African-Americans and look at how the war went from popular to controversial in Chicago in just a few years.

Why The 1992 Loop Flood Is The Most Chicago Story Ever Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

On April 13, 1992, Chicago was struck by a man-made natural disaster. The Great Chicago Flood of 1992 occurred completely underground and, fortunately, nobody was hurt — but several factors make it one of the most Chicago stories ever. In this episode from the archives, hear how clout, corruption, and construction without permits led to half the Loop being evacuated.

(1:09) Chicago Loop

Here Are The Winners Of The 2020 Haiku Contest Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

It’s the last day of 2020, which means we’re revealing the winners of our 2020 Haiku Contest. Plus, hear an interview from our friends at Reset, WBEZ’s daily talk show. In a multimedia project titled “The River Speaks,” a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago gives a unique personality to each of the six branches of the Chicago River.

A Different Perspective On Our Story About The Walnut Room Dec 22, 2020

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In a response to our recent episode about the Walnut Room, listener Joyce Miller Bean shares her family’s experience of racism and discrimination when visiting Marshall Field’s in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

What’s Up With All The Geese In Chicago? Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Maybe you find them annoying or maybe not, but one thing is certain: Chicago’s got a lot of geese. So this week we’re taking on your geese questions, from why they’re here to techniques for controlling their population.

How A Department Store Became Part Of Chicago’s Christmas Traditions Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

From the Walnut Room restaurant to its window displays, Marshall Field’s figured out how to draw in the crowds during the holiday.

The Radical Existence Of Lucy Parsons, The ‘Goddess Of Anarchy’ Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, reporter Arionne Nettles tells us the story of Lucy Parsons, a Chicago labor activist and anarchist known for her fiery speeches and dubbed “more dangerous than 1,000 rioters.” But who she was and what she fought for was complex — and just as complicated was her true identity.

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