Sept. 16: Why A Handful Of Vintage 7UP Signs Remain In The Central Valley
Summary
This episode explores the mystery behind vintage 7-Up neon signs scattered across the Central Valley, tracing their origins to local bottling plants and distributors from the 1940s. Reporter Rachel Livinall interviews historians and locals, including a man whose father painted the signs, to uncover their history and the nostalgia they evoke. The segment also covers news on a judge facing manslaughter charges, a crisis in the Fresno Diocese’s retirement plan, and a land dispute in Yosemite.
Topics discussed
Intro and sponsor: Central Valley Journalism Collaborative
Preview of 7-Up signs story and headlines
Judge Kendra Weber charged with vehicular manslaughter
Fresno Diocese retirement plan crisis
Lawmakers block Yosemite land transfer
Eurikio's Trattoria permanently closes
Public radio funding appeal
Main story intro: 7-Up history in the Valley
Historian Mike McCoy and the Merced billboard
7-Up origins and Merced sign timeline
Decoding the sign via bubble count
Personal memories and nostalgia for the signs
Interview with Rachel Livinall begins
How the story started and museum acquisitions
Mystery of ownership and public speculation
Why 7-Up signs are more common than Coke
Local connections: Pat Carpenter and Kristen Bynum
Preservation efforts and closing remarks
Outro and production credits
Promo: Where Is Austin Tice? podcast
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