OTL: Episode #444- Local high school journalism, Chicago Area Tiki Tour, Bridgeport’s 1855 Lager Beer Riot reenactment

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “it’s tiki time” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen discusses the importance of local high school journalism, previews the Chicago Area Tiki Tour, and visits Bridgeport to learn about the 1855 Lager Beer Riot reenactment.   Jason Block–  Program chair, Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association We discuss the importance of high school journalism programs and preview the annual NISPA conference that takes place Friday, April 24.       Caroline Roe– Organizer of The Chicago Area Tiki Tour We preview this tour of some of the best area tiki bars!   Ed Marszewski and Paul Durica– Co-Organizers of Version Fest Bridgeport’s Version Fest is a wonderful celebration of local art and media.  We learn about this event, including the exciting 1855 Lager Beer Riot reenactment on April 25.       OTL #444 local music provided by The Cocktail Preachers…

OTL #443: Chicago Police citizen surveillance, The man behind Chuy’s stache, #DateMe: An OkCupid Experiment

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “stache-friendly” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen discusses the extent of Chicago Police surveillance on citizens, talks to the man behind Chuy Garcia’s mustache, and gets a preview of #DateMe: An OKCupid Experiment.   Joel Handley–  Contributing Editor at In These Times How much police surveillance on Chicagoans is appropriate?  We explore this question and the issue of how provide safety without tramping our 1st Amendment rights.       Steve Bogira– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader We hear how Steve opened the door for the beginnings of Chuy Garcia’s mustache. Photo courtesy of ChicagoReader.com   Robin Lynn Norris– Creator of #DateMe: An OkCupid Experiment The world of online dating can be hilarious.  This show running at the UP Comedy Club (230 W. North Ave.) is based off of actual OkCupid conversation and gives us a glimpse into that world       OTL #443 local music provided by Richard Album…

OTL: Episode #438- Another look at unions and IL politics, Story Week Festival of Writers, The Secret History of Chicago Music: Baby Doo Caston

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “baby-doo” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen takes another look at unions and their influence on IL politics, previews Story Week Festival of Writers, and gets the lowdown on Chicago musician Baby Doo Caston.   Frank Manzo–  Policy Director, Illinois Economic Policy Institute We heard a lot of listener feedback on the topic of influence of unions on IL politics.  This week we get another perspective on this issue.       Eric May– Author and artistic director of Story Week Festival of Writers Columbia College presents this annual festival that celebrates the written word and the art of storytelling.  We get a preview of this event that runs from March 15-21.  Eric May discusses the upcoming Story Week Festival of Writers with Mike Stephen     The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 20th century Blues musician Baby Doo Caston in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to Chicago.       OTL #438 local music provided by Molehill…

OTL #436: Little-discussed issues in the mayor’s race, Chicago Noise Complaint app, The Secret History of Chicago Music: Washboard Sam

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “washboard abs” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen discusses little-discussed issues in this year’s mayoral race, learns about the Chicago Noise Complaint app, and gets the story of Chicago Bluesman Washboard Sam.   Mick Dumke–  Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader Mick discusses what the candidates for mayor aren’t talking about this election year.    Mick Dumke and Mike Stephen talk Chicago politics     Darrin Thomas– Creator of the Chicago Noise Complaint website After getting fed up with the noise pollution from O’Hare Airport, Darrin created this app to create a log of noise complaints that will be given to the city.     The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 20th century Blues musician Washboard Sam in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to Chicago.     OTL #436 local music provided by Love In the Dark…