OTL: Episode #502- Draining Chicago, Turning Asian carp into pet food, The Secret History of The Bare Facts

Mike Stephen talks with:   Richard Lanyon, former executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, about the history of Chicago’s sewer system as detailed in the second book in his four-book series Draining Chicago: The Early City and the North Area;   BareItAll Petfoods co-founders Logan Honeycutt and Michael Cody about saving the environment by turning invasive Asian carp into dog treats; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 1960s Indiana-based horn rockers The Bare Facts for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we how the CTA is renting parking spaces under the Brown Line.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Walcot.   Future OTL producer Andy Hermann and host Mike Stephen cruise the Chicago River post-flow reversal and pre-Asian carp threat. [circa September 2005]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #501- Sister Donna Quinn on her life of activism, Run Domestic Violence Out of Town, Dina Bach performs live

Mike Stephen talks with:   activist nun Donna Quinn about fighting for gender equality as detailed in her new book Chicago Catholic Women: Its Role in Founding the Catholic Women’s Movement;   Run Domestic Violence Out of Town marathon campaign coordinator Bethany Gomillion Thompson about how running the Chicago Marathon can benefit the fight against domestic violence; and   local singer-songwriter Dina Bach, who provided the soundtrack for the show! Check out her new EP Kiss Me Like That.   Meanwhile, we discuss Melissa’s Pal Crépes… the city’s first officially licensed food cart!   Local musician Dina Bach previewed her new EP Kiss Me Like That all throughout OTL #501. Fortunately, OTL host Mike Stephen is only posing here.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #500- Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round, The Secret History of Evening’s Breezes, Bloody Mary Fest preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   writer and foodie Ron Faiola about a unique aspect of Midwest culture as detailed in his Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round book;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about obscure garage rockers Evening’s Breezes for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Culture_Content guru Brian Ferber about the Bloody Mary Fest at the Logan Square Auditorium and why the Bloody Mary is a perfect way to bring people together.   Meanwhile, we play a clip of celebrity chef Alton Brown conducting an Italian Beef blind taste test… and we celebrate the 500th episode of Outside the Loop RADIO!   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Birds of Chicago.   OTL host Mike Stephen and producer Andy Hermann celebrate 500 episodes with Bloody Marys at the Little Goat Diner.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.   OTL host Mike Stephen chats with Bloody Mary Fest founder/creator Brian Ferber (with an assist from Culture_Content right-hand man Allen Richards).

OTL: Episode #499- Protecting high school journalists, Oak Park’s newest theater productions, The Mini Maker Faire preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   Illinois Journalism Education Association board member Stan Zoller about Illinois House Bill 5902 (aka the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act) and how the proposed law would give some legal protections to high school students;   Surging Film & Theatrics artistic director Billy Surges about the Oak Park theater company’s 2016 season (featuring walk-ons by Tracers actors Patrick McGrath and Tony Calkins); and   Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire founder Christina Pei about the fifth annual celebration of DIY and all the amazing and innovative stuff we create.   Meanwhile, we play yet another voicemail from #1 OTL (and Lou Manfredini) fan Mrs. Stephen!   This week’s local music is provided music provided by THEDEADWOODS.   OTL host Mike Stephen and multimedia star Lou Manfredini go way back! [pictured in the old WGN Radio newsroom circa 2004]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.