OTL: Episode #462- Getting to the bottom of the Ventra story, Scarlet Architect’s Secret History of Chicago Music, A LEGO artist builds Chicago

Mike Stephen talks with:   Culture Bore freelance journalist Jason Prechtel about his FOIA lawsuit against the CTA to find out how and why we have the Ventra fare system;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early-’80s all-synth techno-pop band Scarlet Architect for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   IIT College of Architecture student Rocco Buttliere about his to-scale LEGO model of downtown Chicago.   Meanwhile, we have some fun with Chicago Architecture Info’s “A Field Guide To Chicago NIMBYs.”   This week’s local music is provided by Local Motive.   OTL host Mike Stephen realizes a life-long dream by visiting Rocco Buttliere’s to-scale LEGO model of downtown Chicago.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #457- Metra riders are plugged in, The harsh reality of making it as a local musician, Chicago Hot Sauce Fest

Mike Stephen talks with:   DePaul University School of Public Service professor and Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development director Joseph Schwieterman about The Digitally Connected Commuter: Tracking the Rising Use of Personal Electronic Devices on Chicago Suburban Trains [PDF] study;   Musician David Safran about his recent Newcity story “Less Successful Numbers: The Money of Local Music;” and   Chicago Hot Sauce Fest organizer Adrian Gutierrez to preview next weekend’s spicy events.   This week’s local music is provided by the aforementioned David Safran.   OTL host Mike Stephen dreams of hot sauce before making a point.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #440- Abolishing the Red Light Cameras, The latest from The Parking Ticket Geek, The story of local Bluesman Big Moose Walker

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “Big Moose” radio station WGN-AM 720) New daddy Mike Stephen learns about the movement to abolish the red light cameras in Chicago, discusses transportation issues with the Parking Ticket Geek, and gets the story of local Bluesman Big Moose Walker.   Don Bransford–  Committee member of Citizens to Abolish Red Light Cameras The red light cameras are a pain for Chicago drivers.  We learn why a group of Chicagoans is working to get all of them removed from city streets.       The Parking Ticket Geek– OTL’s Official Parking Correspondent and Blogger at The Expired Meter We get an update on some important local transportation topics from the one and only Parking Ticket Geek.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 20th century Blues musician Big Moose Walker in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to Chicago.         OTL #440 local music provided by Archie Powell and The Exports…

OTL: Episode #428- Neighborhood Crime and Justice Study, Chicago on a “road diet,” The Secret History of Chicago Music

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “on a road diet” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen learns about a new study that examines the public’s perception of the Chicago Police, discusses putting Chicago on a “road diet,” and goes deep in local music history with music historian Steve Krakow to learn about Nimblewill Creek.   Dr. Wesley Skogan– Director of The Neighborhood Crime and Justice Study We learn about this study that examines the public’s perception of the effectiveness of the Chicago Police.   John Greenfield– Editor of Streetsblog Chicago Recently John wrote an op-ed in Crain’s Chicago Business about putting Chicago on a “road diet.”  We find out what he means this week.      The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles the now-defunct band Nimblewill Creek in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on the band’s musical contribution to Chicago.     OTL #428 local music provided by Royal Son of a Guns…