OTL: Episode #283- Bike messengers in the city, Baconfest Chicago preview, Breaking the record on the L

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “bacon is the best” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the bike messenger community in Chicago, gets a preview of Baconfest Chicago, and talks to the local guy who set a new record for riding the entire “L” system the fastest.   Jeff Kidder– Assistant Professor of Sociology at Northern IL University, author of Urban Flow: Bike Messengers and the City What’s it like being a bike messenger in Chicago?  We explore this question and many others related to this risky job. Seth Zurer— Co–founder of Baconfest Chicago This sold-out event happening April 14th at the UIC Forum is in its fourth year.  We chat with Seth about what’s new at this year’s fest and why bacon is uh-mazing.     Danny Resner– Recent college grad who broke the record for riding the entire “L” system in the fastest time On OTL #259 Mike talked to a Brit who set the record for riding the “L” in the fastest time.  That record has been broken!  Danny, along with John Greenfield of GridChicago.com, now holds the new record.  We hear about their experience this week. Danny Resner and John Greenfield   OTL #283 local music provided by Panda Riot…  

OTL: Episode #282- Cleaning up TIFs, Hideout Harmonica Hoedown preview

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “harmonica hoedown” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses ways to improve Chicago’s TIF program and then talks to two local harmonica players about the upcoming Hideout Harmonica Hoedown (complete with a fun on-air harp jam session).   Celeste Meiffren– Field Director at the Illinois Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG recently put out a report called Cleaning Up Tax Increment Financing.  Celeste talks to us about this report. Bob Kessler and Jim Conway— Chicago harmonica studs These two harp players are just part of the great lineup at the Hideout Harmonica Hoedown coming up on Sunday, February 19th at The Hideout.  They drop by the OTL Bunker to preview the event and to jam on some tunes with Mike.     OTL #282 local music provided by Joe Filisko and Eric Noden…  

OTL: Episode #281- To Be Demolished series, Trakan’s new album, The City Life Supplement podcast

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “city life supplement” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about an online series that documents local buildings in danger of demolition, highlights a local musician’s new record, and discusses a new “A Prairie Home Companion” podcast based in Chicago.   David Schalliol– Creator of the To Be Demolished series and Managing Editor of GapersBlock.com Every year there are hundreds of Chicago buildings are threatened with demolition.  David tells us about his efforts to document 100 of these buildings online over the next year. Photo courtesy of David Schalliol.     Trakan– Local musician and good-guy Bears fan His new album, Powder Kegs Beneath Dagger Trees, is finished and he’s having a record release party on February 20th at Webster Wine Bar.  We hear how WLUW influenced his life in an excerpt from an interview recorded in 2009 on OTL #147. Trakan rocking out. Matt Lyle— Head writer and host of The City Life Supplement podcast This live show that’s also distributed as a podcast is described as a metropolitan “A Prairie Home Companion” and it’s all about life in Chicago.  You can attend the next performance at Transistor Chicago on February 25th.     OTL #281 local music provided by Trakan…

OTL: Episode #280- Twitter data and CTA riders, Chicago speeding cameras, The Chicago Stand-Up Project

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “stand-up project” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about research of Twitter data to determine the feelings of CTA riders, checks in with the Parking Ticket Geek about the Chicago Speeding Camera Bill, and talks to the creator of the The Chicago Stand-Up Project TV show.   Satish Ukkusuri– Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University What can the CTA learn from riders’ Tweets?  Satish and his team studied Twitter data to find out what CTA customers are saying about their public transportation experiences.  We hear the results. What are CTA riders saying on Twitter?     The Parking Ticket Geek– Blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com and official OTL Parking Correspondent The Geek filed at Freedom of Information Act request with Gov. Quinn’s office to find out what citizens are saying about the proposed Chicago Speed Camera Bill.  We get the latest. A Chicago red light camera.   Pat McGann— Local comedian and creator of The Chicago Stand-Up Project on WTTW-11 This show, airing every Friday in February at 8:30 p.m., chronicles the journey of some well-known Chicagoans who give stand-up comedy their best shot.     OTL #280 local music provided by Robbie Hamilton and The Soft Ones…