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 #397- IL’s marijuana policy, Reboot Illinois, Good in Englewood

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 “radio reboot” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to the lead author of a recent study on Illinois’ marijuana policy, discusses state government with the executive editor of Reboot Illinois, and takes a closer look what’s good in Englewood.   Kathie Kane-Willis– Director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy at Roosevelt University This week a new study was released that analyzes our state’s policy on marijuana misdemeanor enforcement.  Kathie is the lead author of this report and discusses what she and her team found.     Matt Dietrich– Executive Editor at Reboot Illinois This organization aims to encourage us to retake ownership of our local government by providing us with the information we need to take action.  We get the details.       Rashanah Baldwin– Journalist and resident of Englewood She’s sick and tired of the negative press Englewood receives, so Rashanah is on a mission to let us know what’s good in Englewood.         OTL #397 local music provided by Yellow Jacket…  

OTL: Episode #394- Chicago’s questionable crime stats, Journalism in high schools, CouchSurferz web series

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 “RadioSurferz” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to a researcher about Chicago’s crime stats, discusses journalism education in high schools, and chats with the creator of the CouchSurferz comedy web series.   Brian Keegan– Post doctoral student at Northeastern University Recently Brian wrote a blog post called Crime, Time, and Weather in Chicago looking at the current trends of local crime stats.     Jason Block– Teacher at Prospect H.S. and board member of the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association (NISPA) Last week OTL host Mike Stephen spoke at the NISPA Conference.  This week we learn about the great things the organization does to teach journalism in schools.     OTL host Mike Stephen’s talk at the NISPA Conference last week.   Jack Farrell– Writer & Creator of the CouchSurferz web series We get the skinny on this weekly comedy web series that is released every Thursday at Second City’s DeMaat Theater.         OTL #394 local music provided by Sexy Fights…  

OTL: Episode #388- First Tuesday Roundtable, Team Englewood’s poem, The other side of “Chicagoland”

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 “poetry is powerful” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to Mick Dumke about his new show at The Hideout, chats with the poetry coach at Team Englewood about his team’s local popularity recently, and analyzes CNN’s “Chicagoland” with the Chicago Justice Project.   Mick Dumke– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader We all know Mick is a great reporter, but now he gets his chance to co-host a political roundtable called First Tuesdays at The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) every first Tuesday of the month starting April 1st.   Dave Stieber– History teacher and poetry coach at Team Englewood Community Academy Last week we heard students from Englewood perform a group poem that talks directly to the mayor about their neighborhood vs. the other Chicago.  This week we hear from the students’ poetry coach.     Students from Englewood performing at Metro   Tracy Siska– Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project CNN is airing it’s series called Chicagoland.  The CJP has taken issue with some of the information (or lack thereof) has been presented.  We get the details.     OTL #388 local music provided by Cousin Dud…