If you were walking down San Francisco’s Fillmore Street in the 1950s, chances are you might run into Billie Holiday stepping out of a restaurant. Or Ella Fitzgerald trying on hats. Or Thelonious Monk smoking a cigarette. In this episode, originally aired in 2020, reporter Bianca Taylor explores the rise of the Fillmore as a cultural center for jazz, and the "urban renewal" that ultimately changed the identity of the neighborhood, and forced out many of its residents.Additional Reading: How ‘Urban Renewal’ Decimated the Fillmore District, and Took Jazz With It Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Bianca Taylor. This episode was produced by Katrina Schwartz and Asal Ehsanipour. Audio engineering was by Rob Speight and Christopher Beale. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, and Holly Kernan.

If you were walking down San Francisco’s Fillmore Street in the 1950s, chances are you might run into Billie Holiday stepping out of a restaurant. Or Ella Fitzgerald trying on hats. Or Thelonious Monk smoking a cigarette. In this episode, originally aired in 2020, reporter Bianca Taylor explores the rise of the Fillmore as a cultural center for jazz, and the "urban renewal" that ultimately changed the identity of the neighborhood, and forced out many of its residents.Additional Reading:<ul> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11825401/how-urban-renewal-decimated-the-fillmore-district-and-took-jazz-with-it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How ‘Urban Renewal’ Decimated the Fillmore District, and Took Jazz With It</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11957757#episode-transcript" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Bianca Taylor. This episode was produced by Katrina Schwartz and Asal Ehsanipour. Audio engineering was by Rob Speight and Christopher Beale. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, and Holly Kernan.

The Rise and Fall of the 'Harlem of the West'

California is aiming to be powered 100% by clean energy by 2045, but there’s still a long way to go. With 840 miles of coastline, could California turn to the ocean as a potential source of power? Reporter Holly J. McDede explores past and present attempts to harness the power of waves, and whether this technology may finally be about to crest.Additional Reading: California Needs Renewable Energy. Could We Harness the Power of the Ocean? Read a transcript of the episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Holly J. McDede. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Attila Pelit and Holly Kernan.

California is aiming to be powered 100% by clean energy by 2045, but there’s still a long way to go. With 840 miles of coastline, could California turn to the ocean as a potential source of power? Reporter Holly J. McDede explores past and present attempts to harness the power of waves, and whether this technology may finally be about to crest.Additional Reading:<ul> <li><a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2023/08/03/california-needs-renewable-energy-could-we-harness-the-power-of-the-ocean/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">California Needs Renewable Energy. Could We Harness the Power of the Ocean?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11957170#episode-transcript" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript of the episode</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Holly J. McDede. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Attila Pelit and Holly Kernan.

Can We Turn Ocean Waves into Energy? 

If you're like most people, by now you've been inundated by buzz about the new movie, "Oppenheimer," which chronicles the life of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. When he was selected for the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer was a professor at UC Berkeley. Science reporter Lesley McClurg looked into his time at Berkeley, and how he and the school itself helped to make the devices that ended WWII.Additional Reading: Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Lesley McClurg. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Attila Pelit, and Holly Kernan.

If you're like most people, by now you've been inundated by buzz about the new movie, "Oppenheimer," which chronicles the life of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb. When he was selected for the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer was a professor at UC Berkeley. Science reporter Lesley McClurg looked into his time at Berkeley, and how he and the school itself helped to make the devices that ended WWII.Additional Reading:<ul> <li><a href="bit.ly/3KfNyJE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read the transcript for this episode</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul>Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Lesley McClurg. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Attila Pelit, and Holly Kernan.

Oppenheimer, UC Berkeley and the Atomic Bomb

Our question asker noticed the Bay Area has many professional men's teams but not a single women's or non-binary professional team. What gives? Smaller cities are able to pull it off, why can't we? In this episode we dive into the history of elite women's sports in the region. We'll learn about some professional teams from yesteryear, plus new efforts underway to make a women's team succeed here.Additional Links: Read a transcript of this episode. Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by making a donation. This story was reported by Kelly O'Mara. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

Our question asker noticed the Bay Area has many professional men's teams but not a single women's or non-binary professional team. What gives? Smaller cities are able to pull it off, why can't we? In this episode we dive into the history of elite women's sports in the region. We'll learn about some professional teams from yesteryear, plus new efforts underway to make a women's team succeed here.Additional Links:<ul> <li>Read a <a href="bit.ly/44P2dDg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">transcript </a>of this episode.</li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">making a donation.</a> This story was reported by Kelly O'Mara. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

What's Going on With Pro Women's Sports in the Bay Area?

The office vacancy rate in downtown San Francisco is hovering around 30%. Meanwhile, thousands of people are living without shelter on city streets. Bay Curious listener Judith Gottlieb wonders if those empty offices can be converted into housing for people experiencing homelessness. In this episode of Bay Curious, we'll break down what it takes to turn an office into a home, and explore another option for housing people that is gaining more traction.Additional Reading:  Could Empty Offices in San Francisco be Converted to Homes? Read a transcript of this episode Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Sign up for the monthly Bay Curious newsletter Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Pauline Bartolone. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

The office vacancy rate in downtown San Francisco is hovering around 30%. Meanwhile, thousands of people are living without shelter on city streets. Bay Curious listener Judith Gottlieb wonders if those empty offices can be converted into housing for people experiencing homelessness. In this episode of Bay Curious, we'll break down what it takes to turn an office into a home, and explore another option for housing people that is gaining more traction.Additional Reading: <ul> <li><a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2023/07/13/could-empty-offices-in-san-francisco-be-converted-to-homes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Could Empty Offices in San Francisco be Converted to Homes?</a></li> <li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q7BNr6kOVbzQpP46ZuANDKQEgjwIpge7/view?usp=drive_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for the monthly Bay Curious newsletter</a></li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts%20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts </a>This story was reported by Pauline Bartolone. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

Can Empty Offices Become Homes?

The martini is iconic. Not just because of James Bond, but the glass it’s served in, those neon signs in front of old school bars … it even has its own emoji. It was also created in the Bay Area, though where, specifically, is up for debate. As part of a collaboration with The California Report Magazine, reporter Bianca Taylor shakes up this story about the martini's origins for the series Golden State Plate.Additional Reading: Golden State Plate: The Story of the Martini, Straight Up, With a Twist Join our Curious Cocktails event and learn to mix Bay Area-invented drinks Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Bianca Taylor. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

The martini is iconic. Not just because of James Bond, but the glass it’s served in, those neon signs in front of old school bars … it even has its own emoji. It was also created in the Bay Area, though where, specifically, is up for debate. As part of a collaboration with The California Report Magazine, reporter Bianca Taylor shakes up this story about the martini's origins for the series <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/series/golden-state-plate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden State Plate</a>.Additional Reading:<ul> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11703167/golden-state-plate-the-story-of-the-martini-straight-up-with-a-twist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden State Plate: The Story of the Martini, Straight Up, With a Twist</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/event/3324" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Join our Curious Cocktails event and learn to mix Bay Area-invented drinks</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Bianca Taylor. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

The Martini: A Story with a Twist

One of the first instances of rap lyrics being used during a criminal trial goes back to the early 90s, and the trial of legendary rapper Mac Dre. Dre is best known as one of the pioneers of 'hyphy' music, which helped put Bay Area hip-hop on the map. There’s a lot of lore around what happened during Mac Dre’s trial, so as part of That’s My Word, KQED’s yearlong project on Bay Area hip-hop history, reporter Jessica Kariisa set out to discover what really happened.Additional Reading:  Did Mac Dre Really Go to Prison Because of His Lyrics? Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Jessica Kariisa. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

One of the first instances of rap lyrics being used during a criminal trial goes back to the early 90s, and the trial of legendary rapper Mac Dre. Dre is best known as one of the pioneers of 'hyphy' music, which helped put Bay Area hip-hop on the map. There’s a lot of lore around what happened during Mac Dre’s trial, so as part of That’s My Word, KQED’s yearlong project on Bay Area hip-hop history, reporter Jessica Kariisa set out to discover what really happened.Additional Reading: <ul> <li><a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2023/06/29/did-mac-dre-really-go-to-prison-because-of-his-lyrics/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Did Mac Dre Really Go to Prison Because of His Lyrics?</a></li> <li><a href="https://bit.ly/3rbaumh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Jessica Kariisa. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

Mac Dre and Lyrics on Trial

People travel from all over the world to see California's beautiful redwood forests. But some of these spectacularly tall and long lived trees aren't doing as well as they once were, particularly the ones in urban settings. Reporter Dana Cronin explores what makes these magnificent giants so unique, and why they're facing growing challenges.Additional Reading:  The Bay Area's Famous Redwood Trees Are Struggling  Read a transcript of this episode Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Take our audience survey. It'll really help us out! This story was reported by Dana Cronin. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

People travel from all over the world to see California's beautiful redwood forests. But some of these spectacularly tall and long lived trees aren't doing as well as they once were, particularly the ones in urban settings. Reporter Dana Cronin explores what makes these magnificent giants so unique, and why they're facing growing challenges.Additional Reading: <ul> <li><a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2023/06/22/the-bay-areas-famous-redwood-trees-are-struggling/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bay Area's Famous Redwood Trees Are Struggling</a></li> <li> <a href="https://bit.ly/3Nm9X8F" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript</a> of this episode</li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> <li>Take our <a href="https://kqed.org/baycurioussurvey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">audience survey</a>. It'll really help us out!</li> </ul> This story was reported by Dana Cronin. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

Are the Redwoods Doing Okay? 

In May, Bay Curious published the book, "Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area." It brings a fresh eye to some of our most popular podcast episodes, and covers brand-new, never-before-heard stories researched for the book. Host Olivia Allen-Price spoke to Alexis Madrigal on KQED Forum about how Bay Curious got its start, what’s in the new book and, perhaps most fun of all, we played trivia with call-in guests on the show. We had so much fun taping this segment that we really wanted to share it with you. So this week on Bay Curious, we're running a condensed version of that KQED Forum program.Additional Links:  Read the transcript for this episode. Podcast: Olivia on East Bay Yesterday  Fill out our audience survey  Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsBay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font and Christopher Beale. Special thanks to the entire KQED Forum team for this episode. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

In May, Bay Curious published the book, "Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area." It brings a fresh eye to some of our most popular podcast episodes, and covers brand-new, never-before-heard stories researched for the book. Host Olivia Allen-Price spoke to Alexis Madrigal on KQED Forum about how Bay Curious got its start, what’s in the new book and, perhaps most fun of all, we played trivia with call-in guests on the show. We had so much fun taping this segment that we really wanted to share it with you. So this week on Bay Curious, we're running a condensed version of that KQED Forum program. Additional Links:<ul> <li> <a href="https://bit.ly/463TPB8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read the transcript</a> for this episode.</li> <li>Podcast: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-curious-conversation-myth-busting-and-more/id1158506231?i=1000615352225" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Olivia on East Bay Yesterday</a> </li> <li>Fill out our <a href="https://kqed.org/baycurioussurvey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">audience survey</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/bay-curious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a></li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font and Christopher Beale. Special thanks to the entire KQED Forum team for this episode. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

Bay Curious Presents: A Book!

The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs more than 30 miles through the San Ramon Valley. But many folks who walk or ride their bikes along this paved path may not know it used to be a railroad line. This week, reporter Amy Mayer rides the rails through locomotive history in the San Ramon Valley to learn how the trains may have shaped the surrounding cities.Additional Reading: This 30-Mile East Bay Trail has Roots on the Railroad Read a transcript of this episode Take our audience survey  Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest  Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Amy Mayer. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs more than 30 miles through the San Ramon Valley. But many folks who walk or ride their bikes along this paved path may not know it used to be a railroad line. This week, reporter Amy Mayer rides the rails through locomotive history in the San Ramon Valley to learn how the trains may have shaped the surrounding cities.Additional Reading:<ul> <li><a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2023/06/08/this-30-mile-east-bay-trail-has-roots-on-the-railroad/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This 30-Mile East Bay Trail has Roots on the Railroad</a></li> <li><a href="https://bit.ly/43MYaqt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read a transcript of this episode</a></li> <li>Take our <a href="https://kqed.org/baycurioussurvey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">audience survey</a> </li> <li>Enter our <a href="https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious#hearken-10392" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest</a> </li> </ul> Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to <a href="https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts</a>This story was reported by Amy Mayer. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett and Holly Kernan.

The Iron Horse Trail

Bay Curious is a show about your questions – and the adventures you find when you go looking for the answers. Join host Olivia Allen-Price to explore all aspects of the San Francisco Bay Area – from the debate over "Frisco", to the dinosaurs that once roamed California, to the causes of homelessness. Whether you lived here your whole life, or just arrived, Bay Curious will deepen your understanding of this place you call home.

This is a must if you’re from The Bay! 
Lets freakin go! ⛽️

Awesome

IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO GGGGGOOOOOOOODDDDDDD👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

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Bay Curious

When you think about America’s biggest cities, many have a recognizable accent. Does San Francisco have one? And no, saying 'hella' doesn't count.

When you think about America’s biggest cities, many have a recognizable accent. Does San Francisco have one? And no, saying 'hella' doesn't count.

Is There a San Francisco Accent?

Early on, housing lots in San Francisco were subdivided into plots as little as 25 feet wide -- just enough room for a parlor and a staircase.Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran 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.

Early on, housing lots in San Francisco were subdivided into plots as little as 25 feet wide -- just enough room for a parlor and a staircase. Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Why Are San Francisco Houses So Close Together?

There are two origin stories for the much-beloved martini, and both place its birth in the Bay Area.

There are two origin stories for the much-beloved martini, and both place its birth in the Bay Area.

Who Invented the Martini? A Bay Area Story, With a Twist

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.

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.

Why is Piedmont a Separate City From Oakland?

Proposition 10 aims to overturn the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing act, which limits rent control throughout the state.Produced by Jessica Placzek. Featuring KQED's Guy Marzorati. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran 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.

Proposition 10 aims to overturn the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing act, which limits rent control throughout the state. Produced by Jessica Placzek. Featuring KQED's Guy Marzorati. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Should Californians Allow Rent Control to Expand? Proposition 10, Explained

In California over 18 billion beverage containers were recycled in 2017. Meet some of the people who recycled them and what their scraps are worth.

In California over 18 billion beverage containers were recycled in 2017. Meet some of the people who recycled them and what their scraps are worth.

When Recycling Pays the Bills … and When It Doesn’t

Marin County is the whitest county in the Bay Area -- but why? Reporter Ericka Cruz-Guevarra takes us through some pivotal moments in Marin history that contributed to its demographics today.Reported by Ericka Cruz-Guevarra. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Marin County is the whitest county in the Bay Area -- but why? Reporter Ericka Cruz-Guevarra takes us through some pivotal moments in Marin history that contributed to its demographics today. Reported by Ericka Cruz-Guevarra. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Why is Marin County So White?

Not long after people started using it, others started hating it. They said only out-of-towners used it.Reported by Vinnee Tong. Produced and edited by Paul Lancour, Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Vinnee Tong and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Not long after people started using it, others started hating it. They said only out-of-towners used it. Reported by Vinnee Tong. Produced and edited by Paul Lancour, Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Vinnee Tong and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Why Do Some Hate the Nickname ‘Frisco’?

How do Bay Area traffic reporters do their jobs? From flying high in the 1950s to the tech-powered tools of today.

How do Bay Area traffic reporters do their jobs? From flying high in the 1950s to the tech-powered tools of today.

From Aviators to Apps: The Evolution of Traffic Data

Why the "O" in SFO? And why is one of Chicago's airports coded ORD? And IAD for Dulles?Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Why the "O" in SFO? And why is one of Chicago's airports coded ORD? And IAD for Dulles? Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Why the ‘O’ in San Francisco’s Airport Code, SFO?

San Francisco's complicated school lottery system offers opportunity that isn't always realized.Reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Ryan Levi, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Erika Kelly, and Julia McEvoy. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

San Francisco's complicated school lottery system offers opportunity that isn't always realized. Reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Ryan Levi, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Erika Kelly, and Julia McEvoy. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

How the San Francisco School Lottery Works, And How It Doesn’t

The turkeys we see today are descendants of birds captured near the Rio Grande in Texas that were brought to California. Learn more about our wild turkeys and hear the story of a turkey that broke into prison.

The turkeys we see today are descendants of birds captured near the Rio Grande in Texas that were brought to California. Learn more about our wild turkeys and hear the story of a turkey that broke into prison.

Why Wild Turkeys Love the Bay Area’s Suburbs

Reported by Julia Scott. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Jessica Placzek, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy.Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Reported by Julia Scott. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Jessica Placzek, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

What Makes San Francisco Sourdough Unique?

f you’ve walked past Adobe’s corporate headquarters in downtown San Jose, you may have spotted them: four big orange LED lights that look like flat-head screws, turning in apparently random patterns. This week’s Bay Curious question comes from listener Geoff Morgan, who wanted to know: What do the turning wheels on the top of the Adobe building mean? To start with, it helps to know Adobe makes computer software for people who work with words, pictures and sound. “At the core of our DNA, really, is art and technology,” says Siri Lackovic, the company’s senior brand strategist. That’s why you’ll find clever art installations all over their office towers. Siri is one of the two people on the planet who know the whole story behind the glowing orange orbs Geoff noticed. The other person, of course, is the guy who came up with the concept, New York artist Ben Rubin. “The hope is that someone would look up and say: ‘What is that?’ ” Ben says. “What is that thing trying to say, you know? What is its message?” The name of this installation is San Jose Semaphore. “Semaphore, by definition, is really a form of visual communication,” Siri explains. Way back when, the only way to communicate surreptitiously over a short distance — say, from land to a ship — would be to rely on flag bearers. “They would hold up the flag, and depending on the position of the flag, would let them know if it was safe to come in, or better to stay put,” she says. This resonates with Geoff, the KQED listener who asked the question. “I actually was in the Navy, and so I remember people communicating with flags, and it was always interesting to me because it looked very official, but a lot of times, they were talking about the latest baseball scores from ship to ship and things like that,” he says. In case you didn’t serve in the Navy, here’s an amusing set of dramas executed in semaphore by Monty Python. So, the short story on San Jose Semaphore is that it’s an art installation. The long story stretches back to artist Ben Rubin’s childhood in Boston during the 1970s. Back then, he owned a Heathkit shortwave radio. Sometimes, when he turned it on, he’d hear the strangest things. “These sort of clicks and beeps and mechanized announcements,” Ben says. “Who could not listen to an encrypted message and not wonder what it says, you know?” As NPR reported in a 2000 feature for the “Lost and Found Sound” series, these were numbers stations, shortwave radio broadcasts that historians believe transmitted messages to spies stationed around the world, starting in World War I. To the average listener, the letters, numbers and songs broadcast on the stations sound random. But if you have the key to decode the gobbledygook — it’s a message. Ben was fascinated by these numbers stations. So when it came time for college, he got a bachelor’s degree in computer science and semiotics, the study of signs and symbols. After graduation, he starting making art inspired by his studies. Now he makes media installations using technology, sound, images and physical structures — like the piece on the top of Adobe’s building in San Jose. Silicon Valley Loves A Challenge Each of these orange discs can assume four positions: horizontal, left-leaning diagonal, vertical, right-leaning diagonal. Four positions, plus four discs, means there are 256 possible combinations. Every 7.2 seconds, those wheels turn to a new configuration of sort of positions. Then they rest. “When they’re in that resting position,

f you’ve walked past Adobe’s corporate headquarters in downtown San Jose, you may have spotted them: four big orange LED lights that look like flat-head screws, turning in apparently random patterns. This week’s Bay Curious question comes from listener Geoff Morgan, who wanted to know: What do the turning wheels on the top of the Adobe building mean? To start with, it helps to know Adobe makes computer software for people who work with words, pictures and sound. “At the core of our DNA, really, is art and technology,” says Siri Lackovic, the company’s senior brand strategist. That’s why you’ll find clever art installations all over their office towers. Siri is one of the two people on the planet who know the whole story behind the glowing orange orbs Geoff noticed. The other person, of course, is the guy who came up with the concept, New York artist <a href="https://vimeo.com/benrubin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ben Rubin.</a> “The hope is that someone would look up and say: ‘What is that?’ ” Ben says. “What is that thing trying to say, you know? What is its message?” The name of this installation is San Jose Semaphore. “Semaphore, by definition, is really a form of visual communication,” Siri explains. Way back when, the only way to communicate surreptitiously over a short distance — say, from land to a ship — would be to rely on flag bearers. “They would hold up the flag, and depending on the position of the flag, would let them know if it was safe to come in, or better to stay put,” she says. This resonates with Geoff, the KQED listener who asked the question. “I actually was in the Navy, and so I remember people communicating with flags, and it was always interesting to me because it looked very official, but a lot of times, they were talking about the latest baseball scores from ship to ship and things like that,” he says. In case you didn’t serve in the Navy, here’s an amusing set of dramas executed in semaphore by Monty Python. So, the short story on San Jose Semaphore is that it’s an art installation. The long story stretches back to artist Ben Rubin’s childhood in Boston during the 1970s. Back then, he owned a Heathkit shortwave radio. Sometimes, when he turned it on, he’d hear the strangest things. “These sort of clicks and beeps and mechanized announcements,” Ben says. “Who could not listen to an encrypted message and not wonder what it says, you know?” As NPR reported in a 2000 feature for the “Lost and Found Sound” series, these were <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP5J9-D7_jw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">numbers stations</a>, shortwave radio broadcasts that historians believe transmitted messages to spies stationed around the world, starting in World War I. To the average listener, the letters, numbers and songs broadcast on the stations sound random. But if you have the key to decode the gobbledygook — it’s a message. Ben was fascinated by these numbers stations. So when it came time for college, he got a bachelor’s degree in computer science and semiotics, the study of signs and symbols. After graduation, he starting making art inspired by his studies. Now he makes media installations using technology, sound, images and physical structures — like the piece on the top of Adobe’s building in San Jose. Silicon Valley Loves A Challenge Each of these orange discs can assume four positions: horizontal, left-leaning diagonal, vertical, right-leaning diagonal. Four positions, plus four discs, means there are 256 possible combinations. Every 7.2 seconds, those wheels turn to a new configuration of sort of positions. Then they rest. “When they’re in that resting position,

There’s a Secret Message to Decode in San Jose

As San Francisco's population exploded in the 1850s, speculators looked to cash in by delivering fresh drinking water to the new boomtown.

As San Francisco's population exploded in the 1850s, speculators looked to cash in by delivering fresh drinking water to the new boomtown.

The Not-So-Crystal Clean History of San Francisco’s Drinking Water

For our last episode of the year, we get the answers to three of your questions: What's with the stars in Brisbane? Why does Millbrae BART station smell like chocolate? And is Red Rock Island for sale?

For our last episode of the year, we get the answers to three of your questions: What's with the stars in Brisbane? Why does Millbrae BART station smell like chocolate? And is Red Rock Island for sale?

Lightning Round: Brisbane’s Stars, Millbrae’s Sweet Smells and Red Rock Island

Depending who you ask, eucalyptus trees are either an icon in California or a fire-prone scourge.Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, David Weir, Craig Miller, Ryan Levi and Amanda Font. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Depending who you ask, eucalyptus trees are either an icon in California or a fire-prone scourge. Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, David Weir, Craig Miller, Ryan Levi and Amanda Font. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Eucalyptus: How California’s Most Hated Tree Took Root

San Franciscans have been having a love-affair with this ice cream treat since 1928.Reported by Alyssa Kapnik Samuel and Seth Samuel. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Penny Nelson, Suzie Racho and Julia McEvoy. Our managing editor is Ethan Lindsey. Vice President for News is Holly Kernan. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

San Franciscans have been having a love-affair with this ice cream treat since 1928. Reported by Alyssa Kapnik Samuel and Seth Samuel. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Penny Nelson, Suzie Racho and Julia McEvoy. Our managing editor is Ethan Lindsey. Vice President for News is Holly Kernan. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

It’s-It! The San Francisco Treat That Sparked a Cult Following

On a recent visit to San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, KQED listener Michelle Morby didn’t like what she saw. In the middle of the champagne-sipping, pre-performance throng, she spotted someone wearing jeans and white sneakers.“That to me is completely offensive,” Morby said.Morby is someone who likes to dress up when she goes out.“If I got a ticket to the opera tonight, I would pull out a silk jumpsuit. I would wear it with the tallest platform sandals that I have. And I would do my makeup, and I would wear all my jewelry,” she said.Like beauty, fashion is very much in the eye of the beholder.So the fashion faux-pas prompted Morby to ask Bay Curious the question, “Why has the Bay Area become the Casual Capital of the World?”Read the full web version: How the Bay Area Came to be a Hub for Casual StyleReported by Chloe VeltmanBay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Maggie Galloway, Robert Speight, Katie McMurran, 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

On a recent visit to San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, KQED listener Michelle Morby didn’t like what she saw. In the middle of the champagne-sipping, pre-performance throng, she spotted someone wearing jeans and white sneakers.“That to me is completely offensive,” Morby said.Morby is someone who likes to dress up when she goes out.“If I got a ticket to the opera tonight, I would pull out a silk jumpsuit. I would wear it with the tallest platform sandals that I have. And I would do my makeup, and I would wear all my jewelry,” she said.Like beauty, fashion is very much in the eye of the beholder.So the fashion faux-pas prompted Morby to ask Bay Curious the question, “Why has the Bay Area become the Casual Capital of the World?”Read the full web version: <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11763635" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How the Bay Area Came to be a Hub for Casual Style</a>Reported by Chloe VeltmanBay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Maggie Galloway, Robert Speight, Katie McMurran, 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.<a href="//www.kqed.org/news/series/baycurious%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ask us a question</a> or <a href="//baycurious.org/newsletter%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sign up for our newsletter</a> at <a href="//www.kqed.org/news/series/baycurious%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>

How the Bay Area Came to be a Hub for Casual Style

Drawbridge was a popular bird hunting destination decades. What happened?Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Suzie Racho. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Ask us a question at BayCurious.org.Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

Drawbridge was a popular bird hunting destination decades. What happened? Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Suzie Racho. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at <a href="http://BayCurious.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BayCurious.org</a>. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.

The Island Ghost Town in the Middle of San Francisco Bay

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

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1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
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Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.