OTL: Episode #522- Vacant buildings in Chicago, It’s Filmed There, The Secret History of Savage Beliefs

Mike Stephen talks with:   Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce president Brian Nadig about the Vacancy Fraud Investigative Unit Act and how some Chicago landlords are exploiting a tax reduction for vacant buildings;   It’s Filmed There website creator Chas Demster about researching and meticulously documenting television and movie filming locations around Chicago; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early local hardcore band Savage Beliefs for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we share the feel-good story of Toons Bar & Grill recovering its beloved smoker Black Pearl!   This week’s local music is provided by i.e. kokoro.   OTL host Mike Stephen MCs New Year’s Eve from behind the bar at Toons Bar & Grill after chowing on some meat from the legendary Black Pearl smoker. [photo circa 2010-2011]   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 #487- O’Hare’s runway allocation, The history of Chicago’s water intake cribs, How to save the Sun-Times

Mike Stephen talks with:   Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition leadership team member Helen Rosenberg about the ongoing fight with Mayor Rahm Emanuel over O’Hare noise pollution;   Chicago History Museum senior curator Libby Mahoney about the background of Chicago’s water intake cribs in Lake Michigan; and   Newcity editor/publisher Brian Hieggelke about how to keep Chicago a two-newspaper town with his plan to save the Sun-Times.   Meanwhile, we get fired up about a RedEye columnist defending the fact that she’s never voted.   This week’s local music is provided by Badwater Sound.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes great pleasure in contributing to the O’Hare noise pollution over OTL producer Andy Hermann’s neighborhood.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #480- Local criminal justice stories of importance, The Secret History of guitarist Snake Boy Johnson, Clearing up common Chicago parking confusion

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about criminal justice and some of the other important issues he wrote about in 2015;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   The Expired Meter blogger The Parking Ticket Geek about where you can and can’t park in the city in the winter months.   Meanwhile, “Santa Claus” calls in and nearly derails the show!   This week’s local music is provided by The Fource.   OTL host Mike Stephen III introduces his son Mike Stephen IV to his old friend and radio show guest Santa Claus.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.