Mike Stephen chats with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about industrial guitarist and long time friend Jason McNinch for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music;    Kate Hill, co-founder of Louder than a Mom; and,   Jay Lyon, founder of Remix Chicago.   Let us know about your favorite cozy winter neighborhood bars/taverns here! This week’s local music is provided by Coyote Ghost.  Mike Stephen learns about the monthly storytelling sensation Louder Than a Mom, where real people tell their entertaining stories of family, relationships, and life. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: #580- The Color of Law, The Secret History of Royal Flairs, Inside the OPRF Food Pantry

Mike Stephen talks with:   Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 60’s garage rockers Royal Flairs for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, and;   Michele Zurakowski, Executive Director of the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry.   This week’s local music is provided by Montrose Man.  Mike stops by the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry to discuss the power of volunteerism 365 with Michele Zurakowski.  To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #245- Dose Market, The Bar Aid Project, Man UP 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 the “manned-up” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen previews the debut of Dose Market, learns about the Bar Aid Project from a local bartender, and chats with the editor of ManUpChicago.com. Jessica Herman— Co-founder of Dose Market and Associate Style & Shopping Editor for Time Out Chicago This Sunday, June 5th, is the debut of Dose Market at the River East Arts Center (435 E. Illinois).  Jessica gives us the lowdown on this cool new monthly market that focuses on local food and fashion. Logan Lavacheck– Mixologist at Sepia and Duchamp, Creator of The Bar Aid Project What can we learn from a mid-20th century bar guide that has 80 drink recipes printed on it?  We explore this question and find out why Logan is re-creating these archaic cocktails. The Bar Aid from circa 1950   Mark Rumble— Editor of ManUpChicago.com This new web-based magazine is geared toward Chicago men (but women might like it too!).  Mark tells us why he started up the site and what you can expect to read there.   OTL #245 local music provided by The Diemakers…

OTL: Episode #235- Organic School Project, Lakeview Area Master Plan, Local Improv with Tibia Ballerina

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 “organic” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the Organic School Project, gets the lowdown on the Lakeview Area Master Plan, and talks to the director of a new local Improv show featuring real stories from Chicagoans. Greg Christian— Founder and Executive Director of the Organic School Project The OSP works to educate children how to grow food and why eating right is important in their lives.  We get the story on the organization this week. Harvest Time at Lowell Elementary in Chicago Heather Way— Executive Director of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce The residents and businesses of Lakeview provided their input to create a new master plan for that neighborhood’s future.  What is that future?  Tune in to find out! Adam Higgins— Director of Tibia Ballerina at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater We get the lowdown on this new local Improv show featuring Chicagoans’ real stories as Improv inspiration. OTL #235 local music provided by The Ultrasounds…