OTL: Episode #369- Chicago’s proposed 2014 budget, Tacofancy, A Chicagoan visits the White House

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 “Tacofancy” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen looks at the mayor’s proposed 2014 budget, discusses a community-driven online taco repository, and talks to a Chicagoan who attended the Blackhawks’ championship celebration at the White House.   Ellyn Fortino– Reporter & blogger for Progress Illinois Recently Mayor Emanuel proposed his version of Chicago’s budget for 2014.  We analyze the budget and how it would impact the city’s finances.     Photo courtesy of Progress Illinois   Tacofancy– A community-driven taco hub Mike discovers Dan Sinker‘s online taco repository.  And it’s delicious.   A delicious taco.     Brandon Wetherbee– Host of the You, Me, Them, Everybody podcast and Managing Editor of Bright Young Things Brandon, a Chicagoan, attended the Blackhawks Stanley Cup ceremony at the White House and gives us a behind-the-scenes account. Photo courtesy of Brandon Wetherbee/Bright Young Things.     OTL #369 local music provided by Brice Woodall…  

OTL: Episode #362- Chi Raq documentary on city violence, A parking warning, A family doesn’t buy anything for a year

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 “watch where you idle your car” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to the director of a film about the culture of violence in Chicago, shares his downtown parking woes, and checks in with a family that isn’t purchasing anything in 2013.   Will Robson-Scott– Director of Chi Raq We discuss this documentary on the culture of violence in some of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.         A bogus parking ticket–  Mike tells the story of how his dad received a parking ticket while Mike was idling the car, waiting to pick him up.  Friend of OTL, The Parking Ticket Geek, recently featured Mike’s story in a column.   OTL Host Mike Stephen with a bogus ticket.  Photo courtesy of dnainfo.com.     Joe Basilone– Co-owner of Thrift & Thrive resale shop Could you go a whole year without buying anything?  That’s what Joe and his family are attempting in 2013.  We check in with him once again to see how it’s going.       OTL #362 local music provided by Speck Mountain…  

OTL: Episode #352- Parking Ticket Geek update, The Wisconsin supper club experience, Chicago budget transparency

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 “supper clubs are wonderful” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen gets a local transportation update from The Parking Ticket Geek, Recaps his Wisconsin supper club experience, and discusses Chicago’s budget transparency.   The Parking Ticket Geek– Blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com The Geek discusses red light cameras, city sticker violations, and much more.     Jenny Stephen – Mike’s better half Last week Mike talked to the author of a book on Wisconsin supper clubs.  Turns out he visited a few of those supper clubs this past weekend.  We hear about Jenny and Mike’s experiences there. Mike and Jenny at the Ishnala Supper Club in Wisconsin     Hailey Witt– Field director, Illinois PIRG In a recent report, Illinois PIRG gave Chicago an “A” grade for budget transparency.  We find out why and what improvements the city can make.       OTL #352 local music provided by Redgrave…  

OTL: Episode #339- A year without buying anything update, Connecting the Near North Side, Uncontested elections in 2013

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 “connecting Chicago” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen checks in with a Chicagoan who isn’t purchasing anything for a year, discusses bringing together the Near North Side, and analyzes the number of uncontested elections in Cook Co.   Joe Basilone– Co-owner of Thrift & Thrive resale shop Could you go a whole year without buying anything?  That’s what Joe and his family are attempting in 2013.  We check in with him to see how it’s going so far.   Abu Ansari – Content manager of connectnearnorth.org Randall Blakey- Facilitator of the Near North Unity Program The Near North neighborhood has gone through many changes over the years.  We learn about efforts to bring that community closer together through local social programs and technology.           Patrick McCraney– Investigator at the Better Government Association Recently Patrick wrote this article talking about how Cook County voters aren’t facing many candidate choices in elections.  He joins us to explain his analysis.       OTL #339 local music provided by The Chandeliers…