Bay Curious

This week we learn how one enamored entrepreneur on a shoe-string budget gave birth to the Murphy bed in San Francisco. Then, we revisit one of our most-popular Bay Curious episodes of all time, about the Flintstone House in Hillsborough. The home's architect, who wasn't available for our original story, shares the backstory to his unique design. Additional Resources: Read - How A San Francisco Love Story Inspired the Invention of the Murphy Bed Read - What's That Thing Off 280? The Flintstone House Listen to our original Flintstone House story on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to the Bay Curious newsletter! Reported by Katrina Schwartz and Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Michelle Wiley.

Bay Curious listener Scott has lived in the Bay Area his whole life. He's always wondered why the weather can be so different just a few miles apart. This week, we dig into Bay Area microclimates -- what are they, why do they exist, and do heat islands affect our weather. *This episode has been updated to fix an error in Andrew Oliphant's title. Additional Reading:  Why Does The Bay Area Have So Many Microclimates? Why San Francisco Gets So Windy and Foggy In The Summer Sign up for the Bay Curious newsletter! Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Don Clyde.

Bay Curious listeners Alex Kornblum, 8, and his dad, Heath Kornblum, were talking about their drinking water when they landed on this question: How long does it take for water to get from Hetch Hetchy to San Francisco? And how far does it travel? Resources mentioned in this episode: How Hetch Hetchy Valley’s natural beauty was sacrificed to quench SF’s thirst (SF Chronicle) Video: Hetch Hetchy: To Restore or Not (KQED) Hetch Hetchy the cat's Instagram page Sign up for the Bay Curious monthly newsletter Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Michelle Wiley.

Last year, this question won a public voting round on BayCurious.org: "The Fillmore district used to be known as the Harlem of the West. What's the story behind what happened to the city's once vibrant Black community and culture?" In this episode we explore 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 and Listening: Why San Francisco's Fillmore District Is No Longer the "Harlem of the West" Playlist: We made a Spotify playlist featuring artists who played at venues in the Fillmore Reported by Bianca Taylor. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Michelle Wiley.

Juneteenth celebrations in the Bay Area are some of the largest, and longest-running in California. We offer a quick primer on the history of Juneteenth locally, and explore the legacy of Rachel Townsend, an activist and organizer who kept the Juneteenth spirit alive in San Francisco for years. This episode features an excerpt from KQED's The Bay. Reporting by Asal Ehsanipour and Devin Katayama. Production by Katrina Schwartz, Olivia Allen-Price, Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Engineering by Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Don Clyde.

We look back at protests from the civil rights era — both nonviolent and violent — to understand how these actions lead to changes in public policy. This history gives us ideas about how the media coverage and public opinion polls of today could be early signs that public policy change will follow. Featuring longtime San Francisco resident Darrell Rogers and Omar Wasow, an assistant professor of politics at Princeton University. Additional Reading: What it Takes for Protests to Bring Change — Clues From History “Agenda Seeding: How 1960s Black Protests Moved Elites, Public Opinion and Voting.” (PDF) Reported and produced by Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour and Olivia Allen-Price. Engineering by Rob Speight and Katie McMurran. Additional support from Nicole Barton, Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Vinnee Tong.

This week we’re sharing an episode from Truth Be Told, made by our colleagues: Tonya Mosley, Isabeth Mendoza and Suzie Racho. They speak with Dr. Eddie Glaude, chair of Princeton's African American Studies Department, to parse out what's happening in America right now, and how to recenter on black joy and resilience.   Truth Be Told helps to correct the age-old diversity problem in the field of advice columns, which leaves many people of color out of the conversation entirely. Each week, host Tonya Mosley chats with an expert “Wise One” to unpack a listener question, dilemma or experience about race and culture in America. Subscribe to Truth Be Told wherever you get your podcasts and share it with a friend. Apple Podcasts NPR One Overcast Spotify

Visitors to Angel Island often learn about how the island was once an immigration processing and detention center where Chinese immigrants were made to wait for weeks or months in sordid conditions. Recently, a Bay Curious listener mused about another dark part of the island’s past: “I wonder about Angel Island and the history of Japanese internment camps.” Turns out the island served a specific role during World War II. Additional Resources: Bay Curious web story, featuring images of Kakuro and Angel Island More on Kakuro Shigenaga’s internment history, and profiles of other Japanese internees Department of Justice case files of “enemy aliens” during WWII Reported by Cecilia Lei. Special thanks to Mina Kim, Yo Ann Martinez and Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Don Clyde.

Bay Curious listener Columbia Shafer was walking along Grand Ave in Oakland one day, when she noticed a new Zachary's pizza shop opening. "They were putting new paint on the doors and it said 100% employee owned," she says. "It seems like a really high percentage of pizza places [in the East Bay] were cooperatives and employee owned." She wants to know ... why pizza? In this episode we dive into local pizza co-op history. We'll also learn how these businesses work. Additional Resources Why Are So Many East Bay Pizza Shops Cooperatively Owned? Reported by Kyana Moghadam. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Vinnee Tong.

There was a time when you couldn't go too long watching television without seeing a commercial for Rice-A-Roni. Many featured images of San Francisco, and ended with a catchy jingle — "Rice-A-Roni. The San Francisco Treat!" Bay Curious listener Kent Barnes has wondered if that advertising slogan is true. Was Rice-A-Roni actually created here in the Bay Area? Additional Resources Hear the full story on The Kitchen Sisters website Mrs. Captanian's Rice Pilaf Recipe on BayCurious.org Vote for which question you'd like to see us answer in our May voting round Original story produced by Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson of The Kitchen Sisters. Adapted for Bay Curious by Asal Ehsanipour. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour, Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Michelle Wiley and Vinnee Tong.

For KQED's annual Youth Takeover project, we hand the mic over to four Bay Area high school students who have been keeping audio diaries while under stay-at-home orders. Without the structure of school, their lives have been turned upside down and many of the high school traditions they've looked forward to for years — prom, yearbook signing, graduation — are cancelled. A longer version of this story will drop in July on KQED's MindShift podcast. Subscribe now so you don't miss it! Share your well-wishes with the Class of 2020 on KQED's Facebook and Twitter pages. Produced by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Don Clyde and Vinnee Tong.

Listener Russ Johnson asked how coronavirus is impacting undocumented Californians, and if leaders are working to help them. An estimated 2 million Californians are undocumented. Whether they're essential workers or have recently lost employment, none of them are eligible for federal aid right now. State and local governments, and non-profits are filling some of the void, but many are still left struggling. Resources mentioned in the show: Ask your COVID-19 questions in English, or in Spanish. Haga clic aquí para obtener información importante de KQED e historias en Español. Reporting by Farida Jhabvala Romero. This episode was produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra, Devin Katayama, Alan Montecillo, Olivia Allen-Price and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Vinnee Tong.

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting people in ways big and small. Some are very personal. What's it like to date an immunocompromised person right now? And, listener Marcus Adams wants to know if hair stylists are allowed to make home visits if they take safety precautions. We've got answers. Additional Reading: Getting Through Coronavirus Blues: Cute GIFs and Weird Haircuts Under Stay-at-Home Orders, Bay Area Takes Hair Maintenance Into Own Hands Dating While Immunocompromised Reported by Chloe Veltman and Asal Ehsanipour. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Kathleen Quillen, and Sasha Kohka.

As we shelter-in-place, a lot of people on Twitter are sharing the strange dreams they're having. We look into why that might be. And, listener Anne-Marie Rochè wants to know: Are there any positives for the natural environment from humans staying home? Additional Reading: Feel Like COVID-19 Is Invading Your Dreams? You're Not Alone Has Sheltering-In-Place Been Good For the Environment? Bay Area Pollution Way Down, Air District Estimates Reported by Michelle Wiley and Kevin Stark. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Don Clyde.

There are so many bay windows in San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities around the Bay Area it would be easy to assume they were invented here. But were they? Listener Ayran Michaels wants to know: Why are they so prominent here? Additional Reading: Did San Francisco Put the 'Bay' in Bay Windows? Victorian Home Walk Reported by Christopher Beale. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Don Clyde.

Thanks to Judith Milgram and Ryan Stauffer for their questions. We cover how to shop safely, bring groceries home, and order takeout during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Additional Reading: How to Safely Grocery Shop During Coronavirus Shelter In Place Coronavirus in the Bay Area: Your Questions Answered Follow Coronavirus Voicemails @coronavoicemail or call 415-316-1542 to record your story of how the pandemic is impacting your life. Reported by Carly Severn and Shannon Lin. Featuring work by audio producers Tina Antolini and Evan Roberts. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Jessica Placzek, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Julie Caine, Paul Lancour, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Don Clyde.

Bay Curious listener Paul Irving wanted to know: "What's the story with the bison in Golden Gate Park?" The park celebrates its 150th birthday this week, so we are re-running this episode digging into the backstory of the herd of American bison who call it home. And there are five cute updates to this story. Additional Reading: What's With the Bison in Golden Gate Park? Golden Gate Park Welcomes Five Young Bison Ahead of 150th Anniversary Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Jessica Placzek, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Julie Caine, Paul Lancour, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Don Clyde.

Listener Mark Isaak heard that the spot on the earth from which you can see the most land is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. But that the summit of Mount Diablo comes in second. Turns out, this is a widely-circulated factoid that goes back centuries. Is it true? Additional Reading: Does Mount Diablo Have the Biggest View in the World? Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered Reported by Asal Ehsanipour. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Jessica Placzek, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Julie Caine, Paul Lancour, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey and Don Clyde.

It has been a week, y'all. We're bringing you some tips on how to care for yourself, an inspiring story about how one neighbor his helping another, and a tour through the creative world of digital gatherings. Sit back, take a breath and hang with us. Links relevant to this episode: Sheltering in Place: What You Need to Know How to File for Unemployment in California During the Coronavirus Pandemic Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered Berkeley Mutual Aid Art classes on Instagram Live with @wendymac One Salon SF Urban Adamah Alison Faith Levy’s Youtube The Feelings Parade Facebook Page Dance parties with @mkik808 Featuring KQED associate arts and culture editor, Nastia Voynovskaya. Produced by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Asal Ehsanipour, Jessica Placzek and Katie McMurran. Additional support from Julie Caine, Paul Lancour, Rob Speight, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Vinnee Tong and Ethan Lindsey.

What are the recommendations for taking public transit? Should I go to work? Should I cancel upcoming travel plans? How long does the virus last on a doorknob? Can it be transmitted in the air? Will we be quarantined? Find the latest answers to these questions and more in this constantly-changing story. Additional Reading: Public Health Orders and Recommendations for Each Bay Area County Bay Area Hospitals Gear Up for Potential Surge in Coronavirus Cases Coronavirus: Public Health Experts Want to 'Flatten the Curve.' Here's What That Means Featuring KQED reporter Michelle Wiley. Produced by Asal Ehsanipour, Olivia Allen-Price and Katie McMurran. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Asal Ehsanipour, Katie McMurran and Rob Speight. Additional support from Julie Caine, Paul Lancour, Kyana Moghadam, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez and Ethan Lindsey.