Inside Stories

Premiere episode of "Inside Stories," a blog and podcast about the many forms of storytelling. This episode introduces host Paul VanDeCarr, and outlines what the blog and podcast are about. More info at www.InsideStoriesOnline.com.

George Moscone was a San Francisco supervisor, a California state senator, and finally mayor of San Francisco from January 1976 until November 1978, when he was killed in City Hall. His work is often overshadowed by that of gay rights activist and city supervisor Harvey Milk, who was killed along with Moscone. Who was Moscone? Learn more about this native son of San Francisco who fought Gov. Ronald Reagan over the closing of mental hospitals, stewarded the nation's first gay rights law through the California state senate, got the convention center built that now bears his name, and led San Francisco during one of its most turbulent and fascinating eras. It is meant to be listened to inside San Francisco City Hall, though it can be listened to anywhere. The program features original interviews with Moscone's family and colleagues, as well as archival audio of Moscone himself. For more info visit www.InsideStoriesOnline.com.

"Sex & Dogs & Rock & Roll: The Presidio Pet Cemetery" is a self-guided audio walk in the Presidio Pet Cemetery, in San Francisco. The program contains no historical or other information about the Pet Cemetery itself. Rather, it is a story by Kris Kovick, and read by Michelle Tea, called "Sex & Dogs & Rock & Roll," about Kris putting her dog to sleep. It's funny, poignant, and CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE -- so it's not intended for children. It's meant to be listened to as you walk into and around the Pet Cemetery in San Francisco, though it works fine at any other pet cemetery, or at home for that matter. For more info visit www.InsideStoriesOnline.com.

Harvey Milk was a San Francisco supervisor (like a city councilor) and gay rights activist who was killed in 1978 in City Hall, along with Mayor George Moscone. This tour is about Milk and the rise of gay power in 1970s San Francisco. It goes from the site of Harvey's old camera shop at 575 Castro Street, to San Francisco City Hall, and features original interviews with Harvey’s friends and colleagues, as well as archival audio to transport the listener to a time of dramatic political upheaval. The route is a mostly flat 1.75 miles, makes several stops along the way, and takes about 70 minutes. If you only have time or energy for an abbreviated tour, start at the northeast corner of Market St. and Van Ness Ave., at 50:20 on the audio program. If you don't live in San Francisco or can't get there to take the tour, try listening on a route to your own City Hall, or at home. More info at www.InsideStoriesOnline.com.