Mike Stephen wonders about video games these days and then chats with Democratic nominee for Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on how he plans to remove politics from influencing the Assessor’s Office, talks to Olatunji Oboi Reed, founder of Equiticity, about Car2Go’s car sharing pilot that excludes of the south and west sides of Chicago, and calls over to Rome to check in with the editor of Crux, John Allen Jr, about the mercy of Pope Francis. The local music this week is powered by The Claudettes. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen chews the fat with: John Greenfield, transportation columnist, Streetsblog Chi and Chicago Reader; Leo Babeu and Katya Gordon of KTWH-LP, and; Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Chicago blues guitarist Joe Carter for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Local music this week is powered by Groovy Louie and the Time Capsules. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: #585- Rock climbing at First Ascent Chicago, Truman’s Ridge plays live Bluegrass

Mike Stephen chats, climbs, and rocks out with:   Justin Forrest Parks, community outreach advisor at First Ascent Avondale and   Local Bluegrass favorites Truman’s Ridge in studio!   Let us know about your favorite cozy winter neighborhood bars/taverns here! Mike talks route strategy with Justin Forrest Parks at First Ascent Avondale.  To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #373- The Three Oaks, Michigan Show!

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 “extended weekend in the Midwest” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits Three Oaks, Michigan.  It’s just 90 minutes from Chicago and is one of eight towns in SW Michigan that make up “Harbor Country.” Also, check out the Pilsen, Bucktown, and Logan Square shows! Mike Prelaske– General manager of the Journeyman Distillery We go inside this popular Three Oaks organic distillery that was once a corset and buggy whip factory.     A barrel of bourbon at the Journeyman Distillery.     David Fink and Sandra Thompson – Co-owner and general manager (respectively) of The Acorn Theater This theater is known throughout Harbor Country as a great venue for all kinds of performance art.  We pay a visit.     Mike and his Dad outside the Acorn Theater.     Dave Repetto– Board chair of Radio Harbor Country WRHC-FM (106.7) This station, based in Three Oaks, provides diverse radio programming for the entire Harbor Country community.  We stop by this volunteer-run station. Dave Repetto at the controls of Radio Harbor Country.     OTL #373 local music provided by Trio Globo…