OTL: Episode #493- The militarization of CPS, Howard Brown comes to Englewood, Chicago food cart update

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Chapter of Veterans for Peace coordinator Arnold Stieber about his organization’s mission to demilitarize the Chicago Public Schools;   Howard Brown Health Center site medical director Maya Green about opening its first LGBTQ clinic on the South Side; and   Illinois Policy Institute managing editor Hilary Gowins about the latest on the business of food carts in Chicago.   Meanwhile, we discuss today’s march against rising rents in Logan Square and the wonders of Brussels sprouts.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Jagged Jaw.   OTL host Mike Stephen III passes his love of vegetables along to his son Mike Stephen IV.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #488- Express train to O’Hare?, The Secret History of Chicago saxman Eddie Shaw, Preparing students through industrial tech class

Mike Stephen talks with:   Midwest High Speed Rail Association executive director Richard Harnish about a potential express train to O’Hare and beyond;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about The Wolfgang saxophonist Eddie Shaw for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Hampshire High School industrial technology teacher Mike Jakubowski about preparing students for real world.   Meanwhile, we try to figure out if we still have a MySpace page while also discussing Pizza Pizzazz, frozen pizzas, and questionable Rogers Park establishments.   This week’s local music is provided by the Poison Boys.   OTL host Mike Stephen III encourages his son Mike Stephen IV to consider a career in industrial technology with a toy hammer.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #485- The future of Chicago Public Schools, Racism in the Chicago Police Department, What’s up with those blank billboards in Logan Square?

Mike Stephen talks with:   retired art teacher, union guy, and blogger Fred Klonsky about Governor Rauner and Mayor Emanuel teaming up to bust the Chicago Teachers Union and more;   journalist Evan F. Moore about his Chicago Reader interview with three African-American cops caught between black and blue; and   Logan Square Preservation president Andrew Schneider about an ongoing fight to remove eyesore billboards from the neighborhood.   Meanwhile, we pay tribute to Dan Turner, a personal friend and social justice activist; and we wish Mike’s mom a happy birthday!   This week’s local music is provided by Jodee Lewis.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes a selfie under a blacked-out billboard in Logan Square.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

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.