urbavore Sun, 02 Nov 2025 01:26:55 +0000 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 01:26:55 +0000 Libsyn RSSgen 1.0 http://urbavorestories.org http://urbavorestories.org A rediscovery of things taken for granted in city living formatted for your ears. Urbavore is a production of Devin Silvernail and is recorded in San Francisco, Caliornia. https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/7/c/1/e7c1b808fc3d2ffb urbavore Devin Silvernail no episodic San,Francisco,Urban,Life,Design no a podcast about things often taken for granted in city lifeurbavorepodcast@gmail.comDevin Silvernail episode eight - the olmsted network episode eight - the olmsted network Fri, 10 May 2013 06:30:00 +0000 Seattle has a healthy and robust park system. Seattleites spend as much time in parks as they do in coffee shops (and that's a lot of time). Seattle's amount of parkland is also unusually high for a city it's size. The park system's backbone - the Olmsted-designed parks and boulevards- are an interconnected network of parks and greenways that cover nearly every neighborhood in the city, but how did that come to be?

On this episode of urbavore we will learn about the dream conceived by city leaders, and by two brothers from the Brookline, Massachusetts, that would come to shape a city around it's park system.

]]> Seattle has a healthy and robust park system. Seattleites spend as much time in parks as they do in coffee shops (and that's a lot of time). Seattle's amount of parkland is also unusually high for a city it's size. The park system's backbone - the Olmsted-designed parks and boulevards- are an interconnected network of parks and greenways that cover nearly every neighborhood in the city, but how did that come to be?

On this episode of urbavore we will learn about the dream conceived by city leaders, and by two brothers from the Brookline, Massachusetts, that would come to shape a city around it's park system.

]]> 13:03 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)Seattle has a healthy and robust park system. Seattleites spend as much time in parks as they do in coffee shops (and that's a lot of time). Seattle's amount of parkland is also unusually high for a city it's size. The park system's backbone - the Olmsted-designed parks and boulevards- are an interconnected network of parks and greenways that cover nearly every neighborhood in the city, but how did that come to be? On this episode of urbavore we will learn about the dream conceived by city leaders, and by two brothers from the Brookline, Massachusetts, that would come to shape a city around it's park system.Devin SilvernailSeattle has a healthy and robust park system. Seattleites spend as much time in parks as they do in coffee shops (and that's a lot of time). Seattle's amount of parkland is also unusually high for a city it's size. The park system's backbone - the Olmsted-designed parks and boulevards- are an interconnected network of parks and greenways that cover nearly every neighborhood in the city, but how did that come to be? On this episode of urbavore we will learn about the dream conceived by city leaders, and by two brothers from the Brookline, Massachusetts, that would come to shape a city around it's park system. episode seven – san francisco: seward + winfield slides episode seven – san francisco: seward + winfield slides Sat, 16 Feb 2013 07:47:44 +0000 I first had the idea for this show not long after migrating to San Francisco. In my new neighborhood, I found a few little pocket parks, a whole bunch of staircases (Bernal Heights is pretty much steep on all sides), and I also found a neat little hidden attraction – the Winfield Street Slide. It was such a surprise that I had to do a bit of research on it. Why was this slide here? How did it get here? Who had the idea to have a slide that essentially links two blocks? Is this the only one in the city?

I soon discovered a nice story about community involvement. I also found out that there is another (slightly) more famous slide with an even more intense history of community activism in the Castro/Twin Peaks area – The Seward Slides. I immediately loved both of these places, and these two places were my inspiration for urbavore.

Now, 9 months later, urbavore takes a peek at the fairly recent history associated with two of the most fun hidden spots in San Francisco. 

]]> I first had the idea for this show not long after migrating to San Francisco. In my new neighborhood, I found a few little pocket parks, a whole bunch of staircases (Bernal Heights is pretty much steep on all sides), and I also found a neat little hidden attraction – the Winfield Street Slide. It was such a surprise that I had to do a bit of research on it. Why was this slide here? How did it get here? Who had the idea to have a slide that essentially links two blocks? Is this the only one in the city?

I soon discovered a nice story about community involvement. I also found out that there is another (slightly) more famous slide with an even more intense history of community activism in the Castro/Twin Peaks area – The Seward Slides. I immediately loved both of these places, and these two places were my inspiration for urbavore.

Now, 9 months later, urbavore takes a peek at the fairly recent history associated with two of the most fun hidden spots in San Francisco.

]]> 09:00 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)I first had the idea for this show not long after migrating to San Francisco. In my new neighborhood, I found a few little pocket parks, a whole bunch of staircases (Bernal Heights is pretty much steep on all sides), and I also found a neat little hidden attraction – the Winfield Street Slide. It was such a surprise that I had to do a bit of research on it. Why was this slide here? How did it get here? Who had the idea to have a slide that essentially links two blocks? Is this the only one in the city? I soon discovered a nice story about community involvement. I also found out that there is another (slightly) more famous slide with an even more intense history of community activism in the Castro/Twin Peaks area – The Seward Slides. I immediately loved both of these places, and these two places were my inspiration for urbavore. Now, 9 months later, urbavore takes a peek at the fairly recent history associated with two of the most fun hidden spots in San Francisco. Devin SilvernailI first had the idea for this show not long after migrating to San Francisco. In my new neighborhood, I found a few little pocket parks, a whole bunch of staircases (Bernal Heights is pretty much steep on all sides), and I also found a neat little hidden attraction – the Winfield Street Slide. It was such a surprise that I had to do a bit of research on it. Why was this slide here? How did it get here? Who had the idea to have a slide that essentially links two blocks? Is this the only one in the city? I soon discovered a nice story about community involvement. I also found out that there is another (slightly) more famous slide with an even more intense history of community activism in the Castro/Twin Peaks area – The Seward Slides. I immediately loved both of these places, and these two places were my inspiration for urbavore. Now, 9 months later, urbavore takes a peek at the fairly recent history associated with two of the most fun hidden spots in San Francisco.  episode six - san francisco: the wiggle episode six - san francisco: the wiggle Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:53:00 +0000 Hundreds of thousand of people use the Wiggle each year. It's both loved and lamented. It's contriversial and has a cult following. It has it's own theme song and has a history longer than its users may think.

Do you know about the Wiggle? Some people in San Francisco do not. Not to worry. On this episode, we're going to take a peek at the centuries old history of San Francisco's favorite bicycle facility.

]]> Hundreds of thousand of people use the Wiggle each year. It's both loved and lamented. It's contriversial and has a cult following. It has it's own theme song and has a history longer than its users may think.

Do you know about the Wiggle? Some people in San Francisco do not. Not to worry. On this episode, we're going to take a peek at the centuries old history of San Francisco's favorite bicycle facility.

]]> 08:02 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)Hundreds of thousand of people use the Wiggle each year. It's both loved and lamented. It's contriversial and has a cult following. It has it's own theme song and has a history longer than its users may think. Do you know about the Wiggle? Some people in San Francisco do not. Not to worry. On this episode, we're going to take a peek at the centuries old history of San Francisco's favorite bicycle facility.Devin SilvernailHundreds of thousand of people use the Wiggle each year. It's both loved and lamented. It's contriversial and has a cult following. It has it's own theme song and has a history longer than its users may think. Do you know about the Wiggle? Some people in San Francisco do not. Not to worry. On this episode, we're going to take a peek at the centuries old history of San Francisco's favorite bicycle facility. episode five - seattle: frederick anhalt episode five - seattle: frederick anhalt Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:26:00 +0000 If there is one architectural style that screams “Seattle!” it is the style that non-architect Fred Anhalt cultivated during the 1920′s and 1930′s. Anhalt buildings dot much of central, NE and NW Seattle. In my old neighborhood, Capitol Hill, I was lucky enough to wander past Anhalt buildings on a daily basis. His semi-Bavarian, semi-Tudor, and almost castle-like brick apartments are to Seattle as Edwardians and Victorians are to San Francisco. Where San Francisco was maticulously designed by master architects, Seattle’s Anhalt apartments were just the opposite. They were born from the vision of a very unassuming salesman.

On this episode of Urbavore, we take a peek at some of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Seattle and the man behind their existence.

]]> If there is one architectural style that screams “Seattle!” it is the style that non-architect Fred Anhalt cultivated during the 1920′s and 1930′s. Anhalt buildings dot much of central, NE and NW Seattle. In my old neighborhood, Capitol Hill, I was lucky enough to wander past Anhalt buildings on a daily basis. His semi-Bavarian, semi-Tudor, and almost castle-like brick apartments are to Seattle as Edwardians and Victorians are to San Francisco. Where San Francisco was maticulously designed by master architects, Seattle’s Anhalt apartments were just the opposite. They were born from the vision of a very unassuming salesman.

On this episode of Urbavore, we take a peek at some of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Seattle and the man behind their existence.

]]> 07:03 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)If there is one architectural style that screams “Seattle!” it is the style that non-architect Fred Anhalt cultivated during the 1920′s and 1930′s. Anhalt buildings dot much of central, NE and NW Seattle. In my old neighborhood, Capitol Hill, I was lucky enough to wander past Anhalt buildings on a daily basis. His semi-Bavarian, semi-Tudor, and almost castle-like brick apartments are to Seattle as Edwardians and Victorians are to San Francisco. Where San Francisco was maticulously designed by master architects, Seattle’s Anhalt apartments were just the opposite. They were born from the vision of a very unassuming salesman. On this episode of Urbavore, we take a peek at some of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Seattle and the man behind their existence.Devin SilvernailIf there is one architectural style that screams “Seattle!” it is the style that non-architect Fred Anhalt cultivated during the 1920′s and 1930′s. Anhalt buildings dot much of central, NE and NW Seattle. In my old neighborhood, Capitol Hill, I was lucky enough to wander past Anhalt buildings on a daily basis. His semi-Bavarian, semi-Tudor, and almost castle-like brick apartments are to Seattle as Edwardians and Victorians are to San Francisco. Where San Francisco was maticulously designed by master architects, Seattle’s Anhalt apartments were just the opposite. They were born from the vision of a very unassuming salesman. On this episode of Urbavore, we take a peek at some of the most beautiful and inspiring buildings in Seattle and the man behind their existence. episode four - seattle + san francisco: great fire episode four - seattle + san francisco: great fire Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:48:00 +0000 Perhaps the most infamous great fire in North American history took place in San Francisco. The city was decimated, but from the ashes came one of the continents most architecturally and economically significant cities. The city’s flag features a phoenix rising from flames to serve as a reminder.

Did you know that Seattle had a similar great fire 17 years earlier? Similarly, Seattle’s great fire destroyed the city, and similarly, the city rebuilt. From this fire came Washington Mutual, real plumbing, a new street grid, a boom in construction, and a series of underground pathways known as the Seattle Underground.

On this episode of Urbavore, we explore the devistation and the revitalization caused by these two great moments in the history of two of the west coast’s most innovative and important cities.

]]> Perhaps the most infamous great fire in North American history took place in San Francisco. The city was decimated, but from the ashes came one of the continents most architecturally and economically significant cities. The city’s flag features a phoenix rising from flames to serve as a reminder.

Did you know that Seattle had a similar great fire 17 years earlier? Similarly, Seattle’s great fire destroyed the city, and similarly, the city rebuilt. From this fire came Washington Mutual, real plumbing, a new street grid, a boom in construction, and a series of underground pathways known as the Seattle Underground.

On this episode of Urbavore, we explore the devistation and the revitalization caused by these two great moments in the history of two of the west coast’s most innovative and important cities.

]]> 15:06 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)Perhaps the most infamous great fire in North American history took place in San Francisco. The city was decimated, but from the ashes came one of the continents most architecturally and economically significant cities. The city’s flag features a phoenix rising from flames to serve as a reminder. Did you know that Seattle had a similar great fire 17 years earlier? Similarly, Seattle’s great fire destroyed the city, and similarly, the city rebuilt. From this fire came Washington Mutual, real plumbing, a new street grid, a boom in construction, and a series of underground pathways known as the Seattle Underground. On this episode of Urbavore, we explore the devistation and the revitalization caused by these two great moments in the history of two of the west coast’s most innovative and important cities.Devin SilvernailPerhaps the most infamous great fire in North American history took place in San Francisco. The city was decimated, but from the ashes came one of the continents most architecturally and economically significant cities. The city’s flag features a phoenix rising from flames to serve as a reminder. Did you know that Seattle had a similar great fire 17 years earlier? Similarly, Seattle’s great fire destroyed the city, and similarly, the city rebuilt. From this fire came Washington Mutual, real plumbing, a new street grid, a boom in construction, and a series of underground pathways known as the Seattle Underground. On this episode of Urbavore, we explore the devistation and the revitalization caused by these two great moments in the history of two of the west coast’s most innovative and important cities. episode three - san francisco: parklet episode three - san francisco: parklet Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:45:00 +0000 If there is one urban feature or idea that is, in essence, San Francisco; it’s the parklet. Citizens use these micro plots of public land for leisure every day. Parklets have become a jewel for quick and easy pop-up style street activation in San Francisco and they are now taking hold in cities across North America.

Urbavore takes a little look at this simple and effective community space.

]]> If there is one urban feature or idea that is, in essence, San Francisco; it’s the parklet. Citizens use these micro plots of public land for leisure every day. Parklets have become a jewel for quick and easy pop-up style street activation in San Francisco and they are now taking hold in cities across North America.

Urbavore takes a little look at this simple and effective community space.

]]> 07:09 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)If there is one urban feature or idea that is, in essence, San Francisco; it’s the parklet. Citizens use these micro plots of public land for leisure every day. Parklets have become a jewel for quick and easy pop-up style street activation in San Francisco and they are now taking hold in cities across North America. Urbavore takes a little look at this simple and effective community space.Devin SilvernailIf there is one urban feature or idea that is, in essence, San Francisco; it’s the parklet. Citizens use these micro plots of public land for leisure every day. Parklets have become a jewel for quick and easy pop-up style street activation in San Francisco and they are now taking hold in cities across North America. Urbavore takes a little look at this simple and effective community space. episode two - seattle: p-patch episode two - seattle: p-patch Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:44:00 +0000 Do you know what a P-Patch is? Most Seattleites should. They’ve inspired other programs locally and nationally, have connected communities in the city for nearly 40 years, and they have also inspired a pretty amazing vegetarian cookbook to boot.

Needless to say, they are popular in Seattle and, on this episode, Urbavore sheds a bit of light on the popular community gathering spots

]]> Do you know what a P-Patch is? Most Seattleites should. They’ve inspired other programs locally and nationally, have connected communities in the city for nearly 40 years, and they have also inspired a pretty amazing vegetarian cookbook to boot.

Needless to say, they are popular in Seattle and, on this episode, Urbavore sheds a bit of light on the popular community gathering spots

]]> 05:41 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)Do you know what a P-Patch is? Most Seattleites should. They’ve inspired other programs locally and nationally, have connected communities in the city for nearly 40 years, and they have also inspired a pretty amazing vegetarian cookbook to boot. Needless to say, they are popular in Seattle and, on this episode, Urbavore sheds a bit of light on the popular community gathering spotsDevin SilvernailDo you know what a P-Patch is? Most Seattleites should. They’ve inspired other programs locally and nationally, have connected communities in the city for nearly 40 years, and they have also inspired a pretty amazing vegetarian cookbook to boot. Needless to say, they are popular in Seattle and, on this episode, Urbavore sheds a bit of light on the popular community gathering spots episode one - san francisco: outdoor public warning system episode one - san francisco: outdoor public warning system Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:40:00 +0000 Ask any San Francisco resident what happens every Tuesday at noon. You’ll get the same answer from anyone that you ask – or will you? Urbavore sheds a tiny sliver of light on San Francisco’s Outdoor Public Warning System.

]]> Ask any San Francisco resident what happens every Tuesday at noon. You’ll get the same answer from anyone that you ask – or will you? Urbavore sheds a tiny sliver of light on San Francisco’s Outdoor Public Warning System.

]]> 06:04 false full urbavorepodcast@gmail.com (Devin Silvernail)Ask any San Francisco resident what happens every Tuesday at noon. You’ll get the same answer from anyone that you ask – or will you? Urbavore sheds a tiny sliver of light on San Francisco’s Outdoor Public Warning System.Devin SilvernailAsk any San Francisco resident what happens every Tuesday at noon. You’ll get the same answer from anyone that you ask – or will you? Urbavore sheds a tiny sliver of light on San Francisco’s Outdoor Public Warning System.