Bay Curious

Barry Asin flies through SFO about once a month and often stops to take a look at the art exhibits dotted throughout the terminals. He particularly loves the history exhibits that showcase what makes the Bay Area unique, seeing it as a nice welcome to travelers visiting the area. He wants to know more about who curates the exhibits, how they decide what to bring in and what we can expect in the future. Additional Resources: Read the transcript for this episode Why the 'O' In San Francisco's Airport Code, SFO? Why SFO Is Notorious For Delays Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Alan Montecillo, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

Tucked under the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is a once-grand mansion known as the Nimitz House. Bay Curious listener Ben Kaiser wants to know nearly everything about it from who lived in it, to what it might become in the future. Turns out, this weathered home in the middle of San Francisco Bay used to be the quarters of the top Navy commander on Yerba Buena Island and is named for a five-star admiral who died there. Additional Resources: There's a Grand Historic House Hiding Under the Bay Bridge Read the transcript for this episode How Treasure Island Got Made Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Gabriela Glueck. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

Aaron Peskin, a longtime San Francisco supervisor and neighborhood advocate, shares his insights on local land-use politics and the historical resistance to chain stores. Scott Schaefer, a senior politics correspondent, explains the evolution of the city's planning code regarding formula retail. They discuss successful neighborhood efforts to block chains like Starbucks and highlight the controversy surrounding Lowe's. Additionally, they delve into the balance between preserving neighborhood character and the economic pressures posed by chain stores in San Francisco.

Bianca Taylor, a KQED reporter, dives into the quirky history of Bimbo's 365 Club and its most famous act, Dolphina, while Michael Cherchiai, the club’s current owner and grandson of its founder, shares captivating memories. They discuss how Dolphina, a 6-inch illusion created as a publicity stunt in 1931, has intrigued audiences for decades. Notable performers and the act's evolution are covered, alongside reflections on its cultural significance and the empowerment felt by the women behind the fishbowl. It's a colorful journey through entertainment history!

Katherine Monahan, a reporter at KQED, dives into the shocking historical account of Operation Sea Spray, a covert U.S. military biological weapons test in San Francisco in 1950. She reveals how harmless bacteria were sprayed over the city, leading to illnesses and even one death. Monahan discusses the military's motivations, the public outcry that followed, and the ethical implications of such tests. She also shares the poignant story of the Nevin family, who uncovered their grandfather's link to the operation, culminating in a significant lawsuit against the government.

Carly Severn, an investigative reporter from KQED, and Richard White, emeritus professor of history at Stanford, delve into the chilling mystery of Jane Stanford's 1905 death. They explore the possibility of poisoning, detailing the effects of strychnine and the peculiar circumstances around Jane’s demise. The duo investigates conflicting accounts, highlighting significant figures like David Starr Jordan and Jane's secretary, Bertha Berner, whose motives and actions may hold the key to solving this century-old enigma. Expect a riveting tale of intrigue, betrayal, and cover-up.

California voters have one proposition on the ballot this November: Proposition 50. It's supporters want California to adopt a new congressional map that could give Democrats five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, a counter to similar actions taken in Texas. Opponents say it's a step in the wrong direction for good governance, or are upset at the potential loss of Republican seats. We wade into the debate with KQED's Guy Marzorati. Additional Reading: ⁠Read a transcript of this episode KQED's Voter Guide ⁠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/podcasts⁠ This story was reported by Guy Marzorati. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey, and the whole KQED family.

In San Francisco, Mabuhay Gardens was the epicenter of punk. Located on Broadway at the edge of North Beach and Chinatown, it was ground zero for the city's emerging punk movement in the late 1970s. The Filipino restaurant and nightclub hosted many of the era's most iconic punk bands — including the Avengers, Dead Kennedys, and the Jim Carroll Band. Even punk rock icon Patti Smith took the stage. In this episode, we dig into the history and legacy of the so-called "Fab Mab." Additional Resources: The Return of Mabuhay Gardens: The Punk Club That Changed San Francisco Read the transcript for this episode Check out The Kitchen Sisters Present podcast Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was produced by Brandi Howell. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

Lombard Street is famous for its winding brick lane, but beyond that iconic block lies something unexpected: a stretch of old-school motels. Why so many in one place? This week on Bay Curious, we explore how the growing popularity of automobiles – and the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge – transformed Lombard Street into a bustling hub for motor lodges. Then, we’ll head south to the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge to unpack its history. Editors note: This episode has been updated to correct a street name error. Additional Resources: Why Are There So Many Motels on San Francisco’s Lombard Street? The First San Mateo-Hayward Bridge Was a Big Deal in 1929 Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts These stories were reported by Christopher Beale and Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

In the popular telling, La Llorona is a ghost. She’s the spirit of a woman who haunts watery places, wailing for her lost children. But as with all stories, the meaning of the myth has changed over time and many people now see La Llorona as a protector. For spooky October, we explore the ghostly myth that frightens children and the more empowering version of the legend. Additional Resources: La Llorona, Legend and Protector, In the Streets of San Francisco Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Sebastian Miño-Bucheli. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.