KQED

Bay Curious

Society EN ↓ 521 episodes

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.

Author

KQED

Episodes

From Aviators to Apps: The Evolution of Traffic Data 17.01.2019 13:28

How do Bay Area traffic reporters do their jobs? From flying high in the 1950s to the tech-powered tools of today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Recycling Pays the Bills … and When It Doesn’t 10.01.2019 12:00

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

Lightning Round: Brisbane’s Stars, Millbrae’s Sweet Smells and Red Rock Island 21.12.2018 14:34

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

Stew on This: Cioppino Comes From San Francisco, Not Italy 20.12.2018 10:01

Cioppino's San Francisco origins are undisputed. But the origin of its name? That's another story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How SantaCon Got Its Start in San Francisco Counterculture 06.12.2018 11:47

The event's roots go back to 1994, when a counterculture group called the Cacophony Society hosted "Cheap Suit Santas." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bike Theft: How It Works, and What Police Are Doing in San Francisco 29.11.2018 14:22

Thousands of bikes are stolen in San Francisco every year. What are police doing about it? And how does this crime operation work? Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi, Katie McMurran. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat M...

Why Are San Francisco Houses So Close Together? 22.11.2018 11:41

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 quest...

‘Frisco’: It’s Not Just for Tourists 15.11.2018 13:21

Frisco is the nickname we love to hate. How did this once widely-used name fall out of favor? Reported by Vinnee Tong. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.o...

There Were Once More Than 425 Shellmounds in the Bay Area. Where Did They Go? 08.11.2018 14:45

These mounds were used by Ohlone as burial sites for their ancestors, to help navigate bay waters and as a gathering place. Reported by Laura Klivans. 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. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesit...

Who Invented the Martini? A Bay Area Story, With a Twist 03.11.2018 11:36

There are two origin stories for the much-beloved martini, and both place its birth in the Bay Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Is Part of Alameda Island in San Francisco? 01.11.2018 14:44

The answer stretches back to 1820, when California was still a part of Spain. Reported by Ryan Levi. 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...

Ghost of a Legend: How a San Francisco Civil Rights Icon Was Made a Monster 25.10.2018 13:57

One of San Francisco's purported “ghosts,” has a remarkable real-life story often left out of San Francisco's history books. Reported by Carly Severn. 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 fo...

The San Francisco Origins of Green Goddess Dressing 18.10.2018 11:48

California's iconic Green Goddess Dressing may be herbal and delicious — but its name has a not-so-savory history. Reported by Sasha Khokha. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julia McEvoy, Ethan Lindsey, Erika Kelly, Julie Caine, David Weir, Amanda Font, Carly Severn and Katie McMurran. Holly Kernan is Vice...

Black Power, the 1968 Olympics and the San Jose State Students Who Shook the World 18.10.2018 14:33

As John Carlos and Tommie Smith stood on the medal stand, raising their fists in a black power salute, the San Jose State students were praying they didn't get shot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Californians Allow Rent Control to Expand? Proposition 10, Explained 12.10.2018 13:39

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...

Voting on EMT Breaks, Children’s Hospitals and Dialysis Profits. Propositions 4, 8 and 11 Explained 11.10.2018 16:24

Wonky and easy to overlook, these health-related propositions could have a big impact on Californians and the rest of the country. Produced by Ryan Levi. 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...

Should California Expand Tax Breaks for Older Homeowners? Propositions 5, 1 and 2, Explained 10.10.2018 15:52

Propositions 5 would expand the ability of older Californians to take advantage of property tax breaks put into place 40 years ago by Proposition 13. Produced by Jessica Placzek, Erika Aguliar, and Olivia Allen-Price. 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...

Voting on Daylight Saving Time, Animal Confinement and Water. Propositions 3, 7 and 12, Explained 09.10.2018 13:51

Should California go full-time daylight saving time? Take animals out of cages? Pass a water bond? For Bay Curious Prop Week, we explore the three science-related propositions. For more from Prop Week, visit BayCurious.org or check out other episodes in our feed! Produced by Ryan Levi and Olivia Allen-Price. Featuring KQED's Danielle Venton and Lesley McClurg. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-P...

What If Californians Repealed the Gas Tax? Proposition 6, Explained 08.10.2018 13:24

If Proposition 6 is approved, it would repeal SB 1, the gas tax and vehicle fee increase passed by state lawmakers last year. Featuring KQED reporters Katie Orr and Dan Brekke. Produced by Ryan Levi. 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 P...

This Is Only a Test: San Francisco’s Tuesday Noon Siren 04.10.2018 12:33

Every Tuesday at noon, San Francisco tests the Outdoor Warning System. A siren and announcement ring out for 15 seconds. The system got its start in the 1940s. Reported by Julie Caine. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Chris Hoff, Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat...

S.F. School Lottery: Time For It To Go? 27.09.2018 14:18

Three San Francisco school board members are calling for an end to the current student assignment system. Reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey and David Weir. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or...

How the San Francisco School Lottery Works, And How It Doesn’t 27.09.2018 14:32

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 Twi...

The Story Behind Belmont’s Painted Fire Hydrants 20.09.2018 9:09

Dozens of fire hydrants around the town of Belmont have one-of-a-kind paint jobs that date back to the early 1970s. Reported by Suzie Racho. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Erika Kelly and Katie McMurran. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller....

Could Creating One Bay Area City Solve the Housing Crisis? 13.09.2018 12:25

If all the nine Bay Area counties merged, would that result in a more cohesive approach to the regional housing crisis? Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julia McEvoy, Ethan Lindsey, Erika Kelly, Julie Caine, David Weir, Amanda Font, Carly Severn and Katie McMurran. Holly Kernan...

How Do You Define the ‘Bay Area’? 06.09.2018 11:24

Where the boundaries of this region are will vary according to who you ask and what you're looking to define. Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julia McEvoy, Ethan Lindsey, Erika Kelly, Julie Caine, David Weir, Amanda Font, Carly Severn and Katie McMurran. Holly Kernan is Vice Pr...