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…  

OTL: Episode #334- School closings and the local economy, LED billboards, Hank Frisco: Galaxy Defender

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 “galaxy defender” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses how school closings could impact the neighborhood economy, learns about frustrations over local LED billboards, and goes behind the scenes of a locally-produced web series called Hank Frisco: Galaxy Defender.   Mick Dumke– Senior writer at the Chicago Reader Mick discusses his article covering the possible economic impact of school closings in Chicago neighborhoods.       Steve Jensen –President of the Bucktown Community Organization New (and very bright) LED billboards are popping up around Chicago.  Steve explains the affect they have on his community.     Matt Kelley– Writer and producer of Hank Frisco: Galaxy Defender This locally-produced sci-fi comedy web series is getting some attention.  We go behind the scenes in the year 3842.   OTL #334 local music provided by The Mediocre Fight…  

OTL: Episode #333- Goose & Fox pop-up supper club, Participatory budgeting in Chicago

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 “supper club” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about a local pop-up supper club and discusses how participatory budgeting allows for citizens to decide how their local government money is spent.   Greg Combs– Chef and proprietor of Goose & Fox We hear about this local pop-up supper club that prides itself on excellent food as well as a down-to-earth atmosphere.         Maria Hadden – Project coordinator, Participatory Budgeting Chicago Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.  We get the lowdown of how this is happening in some Chicago neighborhoods.     OTL #333 local music provided by Pet Lions…  

OTL: Episode #330- Chicago’s budget transparency, The Salsa Truck’s on-board cooking, Parking Ticket Geek’s red light cam update

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 “cooking on-board” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses Chicago’s budget transparency, talks to the first food truck owner to be able to cook on board a truck, and gets a red light camera update from The Parking Ticket Geek.   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.       Dan Salls – Owner of The Salsa Truck A few weeks ago on OTL #328, Dan told us about his efforts to get a mobile food preparers’ license.  He was successful and now owns the first truck in Chicago with a MFP license.  We get the story.     The Parking Ticket Geek– Blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com From updates on red light cameras in the city to the ongoing parking meter saga, The Geek has the latest.   OTL #330 local music provided by Cloudbirds…