OTL: Episode #542- Affordable housing on the NW Side, Roses4Austin, The Secret History of Big John Wrencher

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Housing Initiative organizer Ben Goldsmith about the controversial push for affordable housing in Jefferson Park;   Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Sydney Jackson and St. Catherine – St. Lucy School principal Sharon Leamy about the Roses4Austin after-school program and the importance of volunteering in the community; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about one-armed harmonica player Big John Wrencher for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss CityHealth’s questionable study that rates Chicago as one of the healthiest cities in America.   This week’s local music is provided by the Boogers.   OTL host Mike Stephen poses with Roses4Austin founder Sydney Jackson in a classroom at St. Catherine – St. Lucy School in Oak Park.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #541- Possible CPD reforms, Navigating Lake Street, The Platoon of Power Squadron series concludes

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Justice Project executive director Tracy Siska about changes that need to be made within the Chicago Police Department;   Fulton Market Association executive director Roger Romanelli about fixing the treacherous stretch of Lake Street between Halsted and Ashland; and   The Platoon of Power Squadron creator/writer/director Jake Jarvi about about his long-running locally-produced web series that’s coming to an end.   Meanwhile, we discuss street musicians dodging a proposed ban on performing on Michigan Avenue, and we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen, who feels like she’s been double-crossed by Mr. Fix-It himself… Lou Manfredini.   This week’s local music is provided by The Red Plastic Buddha.   OTL host Mike Stephen poses with his mom’s prized Lou Manfredini poster. [not pictured: Mrs. Stephen]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #503- Coyotes in Chicago, Wilson Underline project, Visiting the Near North Farmessori

Mike Stephen talks with:   Urban Coyote Research Program principal investigator Stanley Gehrt about wildlife ecology and the upswing of the Chicago coyote population;   Wilson L Public Space Committee co-chair Julianne Scherer about the proposed Wilson Underline plan to beautify CTA space in Uptown; and   The Farmessori urban farm coordinator Joe Phillips about teaching sustainability to students of the Near North Montessori School.   Meanwhile, we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen… who was looking for her son at the Cubs game!   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Gallery-81.   OTL host Mike Stephen III’s son Mike Stephen IV is impressed with the goat roaming The Farmessori grounds of the Near North Montessori School.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #485- The future of Chicago Public Schools, Racism in the Chicago Police Department, What’s up with those blank billboards in Logan Square?

Mike Stephen talks with:   retired art teacher, union guy, and blogger Fred Klonsky about Governor Rauner and Mayor Emanuel teaming up to bust the Chicago Teachers Union and more;   journalist Evan F. Moore about his Chicago Reader interview with three African-American cops caught between black and blue; and   Logan Square Preservation president Andrew Schneider about an ongoing fight to remove eyesore billboards from the neighborhood.   Meanwhile, we pay tribute to Dan Turner, a personal friend and social justice activist; and we wish Mike’s mom a happy birthday!   This week’s local music is provided by Jodee Lewis.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes a selfie under a blacked-out billboard in Logan Square.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.