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The Spot: Curious Pinball

Katie Mingle, 99% Invisible
Marble Queen at the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda

This week on KALW's showcase for the best stories from public radio podcasts and independent radio producers...

"For Amusement Only" by Mickey Capper, originally airing on 99% Invisible, October 2014. 

The Oakland City Council recently voted to legalize an addictive pastime that's been outlawed for 80 years... PINBALL! 

If you want to know what all the fuss is about, you too can push some flippers, anytime, at the Pacific Pinball Museum.

 

"What happened to the Nike missile sites around Chicago?" by Jennifer Brandel, originally airing on WBEZ's Curious City, January 2013.

From the 1950’s to 1970’s, the highest peaks surrounding the San Francisco Bay were home to ground-to-air missiles, ready to go at a moment’s notice in over 23 separate sites. Since the program was decommissioned, many of these sites are now state parks. 

Across the United States, all-in-all, there were over 300 Nike missile sites built between 1953 to 1974. Including in the Midwest...

 

This week's episode featured music from: Black Moth Super Rainbow, AndyCreeggan, Tortoise, and Django Reinhardt.

If you have a suggestion for a podcast or audio project we should feature, please drop us a line at thespot@kalw.org.

Tune in next week for a whole new episode of The Spot, only on KALW San Francisco.