OTL: Episode #404- Chicago Indie Bookstore Day, Searching for Nate Silver, Chicago Publishers Resource Center

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 “Indie” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen previews Chicago Indie Bookstore Day this weekend, wants to chat about local burritos with pundit Nate Silver, and visits the Chicago Publishers Resource Center.   Kevin Elliot– Manager of Open Books This Saturday is the first Chicago Independent Bookstore Day.  We get the lowdown on the day’s events and how indie bookstores are neighborhood institutions.     Searching for Nate Silver– He’s a pundit who loves Mexican food In 2007 on OTL #59, Mike Stephen interviewed Nate Silver about the now-defunct Chicago Burrito Bracket.  Nate is at it again, but this time he’s going national.  Mike tries to get him to come back on the show.       John Wawrzaszek– Director of the Chicago Publishers Resource Center We go inside this multi-use space at 858 N. Ashland that provides a community for creative work.         OTL #404 local music provided by Smoker…  

OTL: Episode #402- Homicide in Rogers Park, Chicago’s light pollution, Art Meets Science at the 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 “art meets science” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the rising homicide rate in Rogers Park, discusses a plan to light up Chicago at night, and previews the upcoming Art Meets Science at the Theater Festival at the Chicago Dramatists.   Tracy Swartz– Reporter for RedEye Tracy gives us the lowdown on her story on the rise in the number of homicides in Rogers Park.     Audrey Fischer– President of the Chicago Astronomical Society Recently Mayor Emanuel put out a request for proposals to turn Chicago into a “city of lights” in the evening.  Not everyone is happy about this.  We get the details.     A rendering of what Chicago could look like at night. Barbara Wells– Local playwright and founder of The Art Meets Science at the Theater Festival Sci-Fi, horror, and fantasy are all genres that you’d probably expect to read in a book or see in a movie.  Over the years these types of work have been largely absent from theater…until now.  We learn about the festival that brings the genres together on July 11-13 at the Chicago Dramatists.         OTL #402 local music provided by I Love You…  

OTL: Episode #400- Mick Dumke on Chicago crime, Mike Loves Tacos series, Lake Claremont Press celebrates 20 years

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 “when 400 shows you reach, look as good you will not!” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks about Chicago’s crime rate with The Chicago Reader’s Mick Dumke, gives us the deets on his new video project: Mike Loves Tacos, and talks to the publisher of Lake Claremont Press about local lit.   Mick Dumke– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader Mick discusses his latest columns dealing with the high crime numbers in Chicago.  He also shares his love of OTL with us over a beer.   Friend of OTL and journalist Mick Dumke   Mike Loves Tacos– A video journey to Chicago’s taquerias It’s no secret that OTL host Mike Stephen loves tacos.  In fact he loves tacos so much, he’s taking us on a taco-eating experience across Chicago in a new video series called Mike Loves Tacos.  Former OTL producer Andy Hermann interviews Mike about this delicious project.     Mike Loves Tacos Sharon Woodhouse– Publisher of Lake Claremont Press Celebrating 20 years telling wonderful Chicago stories, Lake Claremont Press marches on.  We catch up with Sharon at this year’s Printer’s Row Lit Fest.     The Lake Claremont Press tent at the Printer’s Row Lit Fest     OTL #400 local music provided by Jolly Korea…  

OTL: Episode #399- Shedding light on street fests, No more missed packages, An ex-cabbie’s view on ride sharing

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 “have a drink in the street” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the quest of local neighborhood groups to monitor the finances of street fests, gets the lowdown on DropSpot, and talks to an ex-cabbie about his view of ride sharing services in Chicago.   Steve Jensen– President of the Bucktown Community Organization The BCO along with a few other neighborhood groups recently put in a request to see how street fests make their money and where our donations to these festivals go.  He gives us the details.       Andy Meyer, Tyler Veit, and Adam Bryan– Co-creators of DropSpot These Northwestern grad students are solving the problem of what to do with oversized packages getting delivered to our homes.  E-mail them at DropSpotChicago@gmail.com with your suggestions and feedback.     This won’t fit in your mailbox! Dmitry Samarov– Former Chicago cabbie, author, and artist Dmitry weighed in recently on the debate over ride sharing in Chicago.  He shares his thoughts and previews his upcoming book.     Dmitry Samarov in his cab driving days.     OTL #399 local music provided by The Thons…