Listen to stories from native San Franciscans as they talk about their lives, achievements, interests, and the city's past.
S9 Ep.02: History of the Castro with Fred Rogers and Gerard Koskovich writer and Historian
Recent Episodes:
Introducing Fog Horn, a new segment on Beyond the Fog Radio! Here, we'll share exciting new places and spotlight cultural events in the San Francisco Bay Area.
For our debut, we're joined by documentary filmmaker Marlene "Mo" Morris to discuss her film From Here/From There (De Aquí/De Allá), premiering May 3rd, 2024, at DocLands Film Festival in San Rafael. Mo is a former BAVC MediaMaker Fellow and CINE Golden Eagle Award recipient whose award-winning work has been broadcast on networks like PBS. Mo’s background as an immigration attorney informs her unique filmmaking perspective. In From Here/From There, Mo highlights the high-stakes urgency of immigration reform through the story of DOCCA recipient Luis Cortes Romero, whose journey ultimately leads to a victorious outcome in the Supreme Court.
Welcome to Fog Horn!
This week, we feature Fred Rogers, former owner of the popular bar The Elephant Walk, along with guest host Gerard Koskovich, Historian at the GLBT Historical Society. The Elephant Walk, located in the Castro, was known for hosting disco star Sylvester in the 70’s and 80’s and serving daily brunch until 3:00 pm. It was a sanctuary as the rapidly transitioning neighborhood became a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. After Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone's assassination, The Elephant Walk became ground zero for the ensuing White Night Riot, thrusting the bar and the city of San Francisco into the national spotlight.
Tune in to hear our conversation with Fred and Gerard about the Castro's history and The Elephant Walk's fascinating story during these troubling times.
Meet Fred Rogers and Gerard Koskovich!
Renowned photographer Jim Marshall captured photos of the 20th-century’s most iconic musicians like Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and many more. From famous shots on stage at major events like Woodstock, to intimate moments with second-to-none access, Marshall’s work is held in private and public museum collections worldwide. He likewise shot over 500 album covers and was posthumously awarded a Grammy for his contribution to the music industry. Marshall met his untimely death in 2010, and his legacy is preserved by his former assistant Amelia Davis and her wife Benita Passarelli, trustees of his estate. Tune in to this incredible interview that we had with Amelia and Benita in March 2024.
To learn more about Jim Marshall, please visit: https://www.jimmarshallphotographyllc.com/
https://www.thefrontporchsf.com/
Kevin Cline originally moved to San Francisco with intentions of returning home to the South after saving money through bartending. However, he quickly fell in love with the city and decided to make it his permanent home. Despite opportunities at iconic establishments like Bix, Cline ultimately preferred a slower pace, leading him to found The Front Porch—a Southern-style restaurant in the Southern Mission neighborhood. The restaurant embodies its name, offering a welcoming and easy atmosphere where patrons are encouraged to linger as if on their own front porch. As Kevin puts it: “We are good people serving good food to good people.”
Meet Kevin Cline!
https://www.thefrontporchsf.com/
Debi Durst is a versatile performer, director, and producer with extensive experience in improv, theater, and comedy. She’s best known for work in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and has acted with Marin Shakespeare Company, earning her the 2015 BATCC Award. As a proud SF native, Debi successfully renamed the location of Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park to Robin Williams Meadow in 2017. Debi is also a huge SF Giants fan.
Will Durst's multifaceted career spans columns, books, radio, TV, acting, voiceovers, and stand-up comedy. He’s renowned for his outrageous wit as one of the nation's top political satirists, being praised by The New York Times as "possibly the best political comic in the country.” Will currently writes a syndicated humor column for various publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, and The New York Times.
In 2006, Will teamed up with political icon Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. to co-host the award-winning Will & Willie Show. Starting as a weekly radio talk show, the Will & Willie Show has evolved into periodic podcasts, TV, and radio talk shows from iconic venues in San Francisco, featuring insightful and entertaining commentary on the day's news, delivered live and off the cuff by Will and Willie.
In December 2022, Jae and Susan had a great time chatting with Debi and Will Durst. Tune in to our hilarious conversation about comedy, politics, baseball and animation. You won’t want to miss hearing from these comedy legends.
Meet Debi and Will Durst!
At over 90 years old, Everett Brandon is still an active force for change. After earning a Juris Doctor degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, Everett moved to San Francisco to participate in the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. This immersive program provided him with valuable internships with various San Francisco City departments and institutions. Soon, he embarked on a journey with the NAACP as a field Secretary for the West Coast Region. In the early 1960s, he founded PACT (Plan of Action for Changing Times), a still-thriving non-profit that aids minority students in pursuing college and discovering new career paths.
Everett also served as former Public Affairs Officer for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and was Vice-Chair on the Marin City Community Service District Board. In celebration of his 90th birthday, the Marin County Board of Supervisors awarded Everett an official commendation for his activism.
Everett is a lifelong civil rights leader, and we were honored to hear how he joyfully continues to serve others in the Bay Area and beyond.
Meet Everett Brandon!
At over 90 years old, Everett Brandon is still an active force for change. After earning a Juris Doctor degree from UC Berkeley School of Law, Everett moved to San Francisco to participate in the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. This immersive program provided him with valuable internships with various San Francisco City departments and institutions. Soon, he embarked on a journey with the NAACP as a field Secretary for the West Coast Region. In the early 1960s, he founded PACT (Plan of Action for Changing Times), a still-thriving non-profit that aids minority students in pursuing college and discovering new career paths.
Everett also served as former Public Affairs Officer for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and was Vice-Chair on the Marin City Community Service District Board. In celebration of his 90th birthday, the Marin County Board of Supervisors awarded Everett an official commendation for his activism.
Everett is a lifelong civil rights leader, and we were honored to hear how he joyfully continues to serve others in the Bay Area and beyond.
Meet Everett Brandon!
Featured Past Episodes:
Kathy Fang is a renowned Contemporary Chef, On-Air Personality, and a San Francisco native. Kathy’s passion for cooking began as a child in her family’s popular SF restaurant House of Nanking, where her father taught her how to cook. As an adult, Kathy and her father opened Fang Restaurant with Kahty herself as Chef.
The History of Fashion and Design series begins with a tribute to Wilkes Bashford, the iconic name in San Francisco fashion. With his first store in Union Square in 1966, Wilkes Bashford became SF’s top trend-setter. He introduced young European designers like Brunello Cucinelli and Brioni, and was the very first in the city to carry popular names like Ralph Lauren and Alexander Julian.
Smells of fresh bread filled the air as we interviewed Dan Giraudo, owner and CEO of Boudin Sourdough in San Francisco. This bakery has produced sourdough from the same starter used by Isidore Boudine back in 1849
Governor Gavin Newsom is the 40th Governor for the State of California. A fourth-generation San Franciscan, Newsom has dedicated his career to bettering our city and state. He started as an entrepreneur, learning to navigate the world through business. When his talents were noticed by then Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr., Newsom was appointed to the Parking and Traffic Commission.
Stan Flouride (alias cum art-name of Kevin Kearny) is the unofficial historian of one of the city’s most eccentric neighborhoods, the Haight Ashbury. Stan gives historical walking tours that cover everything from the 1870’s to today, with great focus on its role as a pivotal location for the cultural revolutions of the 1960’s.
Raised in San Francisco's Fillmore District by her grandmother, Mayor Breed saw firsthand how redevelopment brought great challenges to the people in her community. She began her public service career as Executive Director of the Fillmore's African American Arts and Culture Complex. Since then, after rising through the ranks to become Mayor, she hasn't forgotten her roots in the Fillmore.
Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis.
Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis.
Michael Baines is a developer and contractor for low-income housing and founded his own company, BGI Group Inc. Even more, his company is the largest employer of formerly incarcerated people in the Bay Area. Cathy Davis is the Executive Director of Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, a nonprofit that provides services to disadvantaged seniors in San Francisco. She likewise runs the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center, founded by
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A big Thank You to our Sponsors
William O’Keeffe • Michael Baines • Brenda Wright
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PRESS ROOM
San Francisco Magazine is looking to bring its stories to life and reach a new audience in a new partnership that it has struck with Beyond the Fog Radio, the podcast that explores San Francisco’s legendary characters and the spirited neighborhoods that they bring to life. Under their alliance, Beyond the Fog Radio will feature San Francisco Magazine’s cover stories each month.
‘Beyond the Fog Radio’ Bridges With San Francisco Magazine
Produced and co-hosted by Susan Brown (center), an SF native and documentary film director, along with co-hosts Jae Yee and Michaela Joy O’Shea, Beyond the Fog Radio will feature San Francisco Magazine’s cover stories each month including its September cover, Rachel Skelly, the visionary designer behind Cast Jewelry.
Jennylyn Gleave is a TV producer and host. She currently produces her shows at KMVT15 in Mountain View, Los Altos & Cupertino.
Posted February 17, 2021 Courtesy of Wright Enterprises San Francisco~Dallas Community Spotlight~~~ BEYOND THE FOG RADIO Podcast Launched 2/17/2021, Susan Brown Host