OTL: Episode #526- Film crew parking, Funding charter schools, The Secret History of The Imports

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago’s 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins about media production companies paying for lost parking and extending The 606 past the Kennedy and the river;   33rd Ward Working Families spokesman Nick Burt about his organization’s successful referendum against charter schools in the election; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about moody Hyde Park band The Imports for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, let’s take action. Now is the time to get your skin in the game.   This week’s local music is provided by The Claudettes.   OTL host Mike Stephen re-familiarizes himself with the microphone before broadcasting from a seventh floor radio studio in the Tribune Tower.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #518- Suburban Unity Alliance, DIY Musician Conference, The Secret History of George and Gerry Armstrong

Mike Stephen talks with:   Oak Park and River Forest High School special education teacher Anthony Clark about bringing people together around racial equity via the Suburban Unity Alliance;   CD Baby vice president of marketing Kevin Breuner about the DIY Musician Conference coming to Chicago the weekend of September 30; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Chicago’s first family of folk George & Gerry Armstrong for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we reset Outside the Loop RADIO‘s mission of being “Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine” and announce our 10th anniversary remote next week at the United Center!   This week’s local music is provided by 13-Monsters.   Suburban Unity Alliance founder and director Anthony Clark gives the thumbs up to OTL host Mike Stephen.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #517- Building a better peace, Positive work in local education, Chicago Greeter

Mike Stephen talks with:   The Catholic University of America associate professor Maryann Cusimano Love about her Albertus Magnus Lecture at Dominican University about Building a Better Peace;   Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep math and science teacher Alex Kmicikewycz about receiving a Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching grant to Singapore; and   Choose Chicago manager of greeter services Katie Law about the Chicago Greeter program and how she’s celebrating International Greeter Day this year.   Meanwhile, we reveal the hottest new band to play the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival!   This week’s local music is provided by Pearls Mahone.   OTL host Mike Stephen (in the yellow shirt and on the harmonica) and his old band Detagoh were no stranger to the festival circuit. [photo circa 2005 at the St. John Summerfest in Indiana]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #512- Turning the Page Chicago, Saving the monarch butterfly, The Secret History of The Sunshine Sequence

Mike Stephen talks with:   Turning the Page Chicago managing director Kylia Kummer about engaging families with public schools to ensure a high-quality public education;   Keller Science Action Center at the The Field Museum social science coordinator Alexis Winter about “A Monarch’s View of the City” and the conservation efforts to save this important pollinator; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 1960s all-girl garage band The Sunshine Sequence for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss the fact that O’Hare International Airport is really stepping up its food game.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Jaime Rojo.   WGN Radio host John Williams bumps into OTL host Mike Stephen at O’Hare International Airport… but they did not dine at The Publican. [photo circa August 3, 2011]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.