Bay Curious

The Fillmore Auditorium is so chock full of musical history, it feels like the building itself has a soul. Nowhere is that better on display than in the theater's iconic poster room, filled with colorful framed signs for hundreds of shows through the decades. Since 1985, concertgoers have gotten their own free copies of the posters as they leave the theater. But who is the person behind these awesome keepsakes? Reporter Bianca Taylor introduces us to Arlene Owseichik, the creative director responsible for more than 2,000 of them.

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This story was reported by Bianca Taylor. 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, and Holly Kernan.

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During the height of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, in a small church a few blocks from the heart of the Castro, one pastor changed the experience of communion and committed felonies to comfort his flock. Reporter Christopher Beale brings us this story, which he originally produced for his podcast "Stereotypes: Straight Talk from Queer Voices," and later aired on The California Report Magazine.

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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by Christopher Beale. 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, and Holly Kernan.

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One hundred twenty-eight years ago, San Francisco was haunted by a bizarre, brutal murder case. And in terms of macabre ingredients, this story truly had it all. In the final episode of our Boo Curious series, reporter Carly Severn digs into the story of Theo Durrant, and the subsequent media frenzy around this case that draws parallels with our modern-day obsession with 'true crime.'

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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by Carly Severn. 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, and Holly Kernan.

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One chapter in the Bay Area's long tradition of local subcultures is often overlooked: America’s first official satanic church was started right here in San Francisco. In the third installment in our Boo Curious series, producer Amanda Font finds the devil in the details of The Church of Satan's larger-than-life founder, Anton LaVey, and the Black House where it all started. It's a story filled with lust, intrigue and a fair amount of theatrics.

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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by Amanda Font. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Victoria Mauleon, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Maha Sanad, Matthew Green and Holly Kernan.

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This is the second episode in our month-long BOO Curious series! Today we've got a double feature. First, we look at how 19th century estate in Oakland became the undisputed star of spooky films dating back to the 1970s. Then, we head a little south to Hayward, where the centuries-old Legend of the Lone Tree inspires intrigue with its story of love, betrayal ... and gruesome murder.

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These stories were reported by Rachael Myrow and Pauline Bartolone. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from Pauline Bartolone, Cesar Saldana, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Jenny Pritchett, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.

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Welcome to the first episode in our October series we're calling BOO Curious! We're kicking off this month of stories about creepy places in the Bay Area with a trip to a tourist attraction that's steeped in ghostly legend: the Winchester Mystery House. This unusual, sprawling Victorian mansion was built by Sarah Winchester, who is said to have kept building onto the house for decades in order to keep the spirits at bay. Is there any truth to this story of paranormal paranoia? Reporter Carly Severn went to find out.

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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by Carly Severn. 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.

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Starting next week, we've got a whole month of stories about creepy, eerie and potentially haunted places in the Bay Area planned for you, as part of a series we're calling BOO Curious! To get you in the mood for spooky season, we thought we'd share a ghost story from our friends over at the Spooked podcast, from Snap Judgment Studios and KQED.

Kristen Cortez is a new teacher in beautiful Los Gatos, California. From her classroom window, she can see rolling, golden hills. Redwood trees. The sun is almost always shining. And yet… something lurks.

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Spooked is hosted by Glynn Washington. This episode was produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Richard Haig.

Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Cesar Saldana, Maha Sanad and Holly Kernan.

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

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Have you ever looked at your grocery receipt and seen a charge that says "CRV" next to your canned soda or bottled beer? That stands for California Redemption Value, and it's supposed to be a $.05 or $.10 deposit that consumers can then get refunded when they recycle the beverage container. The problem is, most people never get their money back because... well, it's hard to find a place to trade them in. Reporter Steven Rascón follows the money to see what happens to all those nickels and dimes we don't get back, and how the state is trying to improve things.

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This story was reported by Steven Rascón. Bay Curious is made by Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and me, Olivia-Allen Price. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Cesar Saldana, Maha Sanad and Holly Kernan.

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You may have seen articles use "Mission-style" to describe a certain kind of burrito you can find at taquerias in San Francisco's Mission District. They're wrapped in foil, loaded with delicious stuff, and weigh almost as much as a newborn. But does the term "Mission-style" really mean anything? Reporter César Saldaña went to the neighborhood to talk with some long-time taqueria owners to find out more about these big burritos.

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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts

This story was reported by César Saldaña. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale and Brendan Willard. Additional support from César Saldaña, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Attila Pelit and Holly Kernan.

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The Claremont Hotel in Oakland was once the biggest hotel on the West Coast. With it’s castle-like architecture and primo views, it’s been a stomping grounds for celebrities and dignitaries since it opened in 1915. But in the years before and after Prohibition, the hotel lacked an amenity that might surprise you. It didn’t have a bar. Speculation has long flown around about why — and this week on Bay Curious we talk to the experts to set the record straight.

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This story was reported by Katherine Monahan. 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.

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