OTL: Episode #313- Pawn shops v. the people, Uber gets sued, Parking Ticket Geek update

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 “pawn star” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks about pawn shops in Chicago middle-class neighborhoods with the Chicago Reader’s Mick Dumke and checks in with the Parking Ticket Geek on local transportation issues.   Mick Dumke– Senior writer at the Chicago Reader Pawn shops are in every Chicago neighborhood.  Mick writes about how some local residents are pushing back against new pawn shops in their community.   Photo courtesy of Andrea Bauer and the Chicago Reader Uber gets sued – Uber is a smartphone app that allows you to order an on-demand private driver that can take you around the city.  Recently this service was sued in a US District Court in Chicago.  Check out the full conversation about Uber on OTL #299.     The Parking Ticket Geek– Official OTL parking correspondent and blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com From an increase in sticker violations to explaining why gas prices are still high, the Geek gives us an update on all things related to Chicago parking.     OTL #313 local music provided by Mazes…  

OTL: Episode #306- Chicago Police Department staffing, Chicago as a global city

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 “global city” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses Chicago Police Department staffing levels and explores the topic of Chicago as “a global city.”   Tracy Siska– Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project The CJP examined available data to see how Chicago compared to other cities when it comes to police staffing and homicides.  Tracy discusses the results and what they mean this week.   Photo courtesy of Chicago Justice Project Aaron Renn– Urban analyst and publisher of The Urbanophile Aaron wrote an article called  “What is a Global City?” where he examines the state of Chicago in relation to a global city.  He discusses his thoughts on this topic this week.     OTL #306 local music provided by The Golden Horse Ranch Band…  

OTL: Episode #303- New food truck legislation, Chicago Rants, Future of the Portage Theater

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 “cook on the truck” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns the fallout from the new food truck legislation, talks to the founder of ChicagoRants.com, and discusses the future of the Portage Theater.   Amy Le— Co-owner of The Duck ‘N Roll Food Truck Amy discusses how the new Chicago food truck legislation will affect food truck operators across the city.   Amy Le next to her food truck.  Photo courtesy of ducknrolltruck.com. Andrew Bach – Founder of ChicagoRants.com We get the lowdown on this site that features “rants and raves about the Windy City.”     Mike Edwards– Founder of the Save the Portage Theater Facebook page The future of the Portage Theater in Portage Park is once again uncertain.  We hear from a concerned resident of the neighborhood who is trying to save the theater.   OTL #303 local music provided by The Soil and the Sun…  

OTL: Episode #299- Getting around with Uber Chicago, Mike’s first Phish experience, Bucktown Tree & Garden Walk 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 “Phishy” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about a new transportation service in Chicago, recaps his first Phish experience, and previews the Bucktown Tree and Garden Walk.   Max Crowley— Community Manager of Uber Chicago Uber is your new on-demand private driver that can take you around the city.  We learn how this service works. Mike’s First Phish Concert – Last week Mike attended his first Phish concert.  He brought along his audio recorder and talked to some of the Phish phaithful before the show.   The Phish crowd at Alpine Valley   Sam Marts– Bucktown Tree & Garden Walk co-chair This fun event is happening July 14-15.  We get a preview this week. OTL #299 local music provided by Taught Abroad…