OTL: Episode #347- New parking meter deal, How wrong is Tom Skilling?, Escaping prostitution in 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 “the parking meter lease deal stinks” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks with The Reader’s Mick Dumke about a new parking meter lease deal, chats with the founder of HowWrongIsSkilling.com, and learns about a student documentary about local prostitution.   Mick Dumke– Senior writer at the Chicago Reader Mayor Emanuel proposed a new parking meter lease deal.  Will this deal help or hurt Chicagoans?  Mick explores this question and more in a piece he wrote.  He discusses this issue on this week’s show.     Cesar Ruelase– Creator of HowWrongIsSkilling.com Everyone trusts WGN-TV weatherman Tom Skilling, right?  Wrong.  Cesar discusses why he created a site that documents the inaccuracy of Mr. Skilling.   Lorraine Ma– Co-director and co-producer of the film Until the Day Breaks Prostitution is a serious problem in Chicago.  Lorraine discusses why she and her colleagues tackled this issue and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her film.   OTL #347 local music provided by Rivals of the Peacemaker…  

OTL: Episode #346- TIF Illumination, Representation Without Taxation

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 “illumination” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the TIF Illumination Project, Looks back on the future of music predictions, and discusses how some big businesses avoid paying taxes.   Tom Tresser– Educator, organizer, and co-founder of CivicLab TIF reform is an important topic and Tom is in the thick of it.  Check out tifreports.com and a series of public events to learn more about how TIFs work.  You can also sign a petition to put TIFs on property tax bills.     Looking back at the future of music– Mike discovered an interview he recorded in the old WLUW studio with writer Lou Carlozo from 2001.  In this this clip they discuss when the future of music could be.  We see if what they talked about came true. The old WLUW studio circa 2000.   Celeste Meiffren– Filed Director for the IL Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG’s report, Representation Without Taxation, shows how some Fortune 500 companies exploit loopholes and distort the tax code to avoid billions of dollars in taxes.  Celeste discusses the report.   OTL #346 local music provided by Sonia Khaleel…  

OTL: Episode #345- Food Genius, Ray Manzarek of The Doors, The Awkward Phase website

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 “awkward phase” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about a local business that tracks ingredients on restaurant menus, airs a clip from his 2002 chat with The Doors’ Ray Manzarek, and talks to the founders of a website that celebrates the awkward phase in our lives.   Justin Massa – Founder and CEO of Food Genius This local business tracks food data from restaurant menus across the country.  We go inside their River North HQ to find out more.     Ray Manzarek– The late keyboardist for The Doors Sadly, Ray passed away earlier this week.  Mike got a chance to sit down with him in 2002.  We hear part of this conversation that covers Ray’s thoughts on the common misconceptions of Jim Morrison, drug use, spirituality, and modern music. Mike and Ray Manzarek in 2002   Claire Meyer and Tyler Gillespe– Co-founders of The Awkward Phase website This local site celebrates the awkward phase in our lives.  We get the lowdown from Claire and Tyler.   OTL #345 local music provided by Gabe Caruso…  

OTL: Episode #344- Peterson Garden Project, A new local fest called Bellwether, The Scott Emo 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 “urban gardening is fun” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits the Peterson Garden Project, previews the Bellwether event at The Hideout, and visits with the host of The Scott Emo Show.   LaManda Joy – Block Captain for the Peterson Garden We pay a visit to this organic community vegetable garden at Peterson and Campbell in the 40th Ward. Peterson Garden   Susie Daly– Co-host of Bellwether This new series kicks off at The Hideout on June 8-9.  We get a preview of this even that’s billed as Market + Happening + Feast all in one.         Scott Emo– Host of The Scott Emo Show This show is a combination local talk show, webisode series, and podcast.  The next live taping takes place on May 22 at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont) at 8pm.   OTL #344 local music provided by The Bingers…