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.
TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “houseboat” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen visits a couple who is living on a Chicago houseboat, learns about Opera-Matic’s mission to bring art into the community, and gets the story of 60s rockers from Des Plaines: Churchill Moor. Colette Gabriel and Kevin Wright– Residents of Cygnet, a houseboat docked at River City Marina We visit a Chicago couple who decided to live on a houseboat in Chicago…even through the winter. Colette Gabriel and Kevin Wright standing outside their home Mark Messing– Executive Director, Opera-Matic On June 6th the much-anticipated Bloomingdale Trail opens in Chicago. We find out what participatory public art projects Opera-Matic has planned for this event. The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 60s rockers from Des Plaines, Churchill Moor, in this week’s Chicago Reader. He gives us the lowdown on their musical contribution to Chicago. OTL #445 local music provided by Werewheels…
Posted 10 years ago Tagged bloomingdale trail Chicago blog Chicago Music Chicago Podcast Chicago Radio Chicago Reader Mike Stephen Outside the Loop Radio Secret History of Chicago Music Steve Krakow WGN
TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “rockin’-the-harp” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen looks at union influence on local politics, discusses the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer on our trees, and gets a preview of the 4th annual Hideout Harmonica Hoedown. Diana Rickert– VP of Communications for the Illinois Policy Institute We examine the role of unions in the Illinois political process. The Institute just released a report entitled The Anatomy of Influence: Government Unions in Illinois. Mark Cinnamon– State Plant Regulatory Official Have you noticed trees disappearing from Chicago streets? We examine why the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer is a serious wreaking havoc with our local greenery. Bob Kessler– Harmonica “colorist” and founder/curator of the Hideout Harmonica Hoedown We get a preview of the 4th annual hoedown, the premiere celebration of the harmonica, taking place Sunday, March 8th at The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). Bob and Mike share a jam sesh on the 50,000-watt blowtorch too! Bob Kessler and Mike Stephen have a harp jam in the WGN Radio studios. OTL #437 local music provided by Bob Kessler…
Posted 10 years ago Tagged Chicago blog Chicago Music Chicago Podcast Chicago politics Chicago Radio harmonica Mike Stephen Outside the Loop Radio unions WGN
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 “8-Bit Christmas” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen checks in one last time with a Portage Park store owner whose family hasn’t bought anything in 2013, gives a Chicago squirrel tracking update, and chats with the local author of the new book, 8-Bit Christmas. 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 one last time to hear about the experience. Be a citizen scientist – You can download the new Project Squirrel app from and help identify different species of squirrels in Chicago. Listen to OTL #308 for all the details on the project. Kevin Jakubowski– Author of 8-Bit Christmas This Chicagoland native’s new book has been called “A Christmas Story for the Nintendo generation.” We learn about how this very funny book came about. OTL #375 local music provided by Ghastly Menace…
Posted 11 years ago Tagged Chicago blog Chicago literature Chicago media Chicago Podcast Chicago Radio Mike Stephen Outside the Loop Radio WLUW