OTL: Episode #483- Ald. Arena talks Chicago finances, Diversity in the teacher workforce, Getting crafty with Handmade Market

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago’s 45th Ward alderman John Arena about the city’s finances and why the Progressive Caucus is urging the Emanuel administration to reconsider its plans to pay interest rate swap termination penalties;   Jenner Academy of the Arts principal Robert Croston about school diversity and what it takes to produce more black teachers; and   Handmade Market organizer Heather Flett about what you can find at one of the longest-running craft markets in town.   Meanwhile, we defend our neighbors against RoadSnacks and their “10 Worst Chicago Suburbs” list.   This week’s local music is provided by the Ben Marshall Band.   OTL host Mike Stephen reps his beautiful yet economical hometown of Elmwood Park, Illinois.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #481- Inside Uptown’s Shake Rattle & Read, Quitting social media cold turkey, Re-visiting Batavia’s Beardsgaard Barbers

Mike Stephen talks with:   Shake Rattle & Read owner Ric Addy about closing shop after 50 years in Uptown;   artist/author Dmitry Samarov about quitting social media cold turkey; and   Beardsgaard Barbers co-owners Natalie and Tyler Anderson about cutting hair in Batavia (from OTL #416, our first show on WGN Radio).   Meanwhile, HAPPY NEW YEAR!   This week’s local music is provided by City Mouth.   OTL host Mike Stephen in the Shake Rattle & Read basement   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #475- Combating suburban homelessness, Chicago Book Expo preview, Recycling in Chicago the right way

Mike Stephen talks with:   Loaves & Fishes Community Services President & CEO Megan Selck about how her organization is combating suburban homelessness;   Chicago Book Expo co-organizer John Wilson about the literary event of the year that’s happening at Columbia College; and   DNAinfo Chicago reporter/producer Patty Wetli about figuring out the right way to recycle in Chicago.   Meanwhile, Mike reviews Chicago’s rules about how long you have to clear off your sidewalk after a snowfall.   This week’s local music is provided by Common Allies.   OTL host Mike Stephen celebrates the first snow of 2015 before being a good citizen and shoveling the sidewalk.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #472- End Result’s secret punk history, The future of affordable housing in Chicago, Justin Roberts rocks kids music in studio

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early-1980s avant-garde punks End Result for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music;   Communities United board president Diane Limas about what her organization is doing to keep rents affordable despite the upcoming Chicago property tax hike; and   Grammy-nominated local children’s music artist Justin Roberts… who hung out and played live for the hour!   Grammy-nominated musician Justin Roberts poses with Mike Stephen after rocking the soundtrack for OTL #472.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.