OTL: Episode #515- Back taxes for Chicago music venues?, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Visiting Studio Gang’s rooftop garden

Mike Stephen talks with:   freelance reporter Lee V. Gaines about Cook County attempting to define “fine art” while going after small venues for supposed back amusement taxes;   Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project executive director Dave Benjamin about how his organization is working to prevent drownings in Lake Michigan through education; and   Studio Gang model shop co-workers Schuyler Smith and Lydia Meyer about the wheat they’re growing in their rooftop garden and where it ends up in the community.   Meanwhile, via a listener tip, we run through some of the Chicago Transit Authority sounds featured on the Chicago “L”.org website.   This week’s local music is provided by The FeverTones.   OTL host Mike Stephen boats way out into Lake Michigan for his safe swimming practice. [photo circa 2008]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.   Wait… that’s not Andy Hermann. (We love you, Illinois Entertainer!)

OTL: Episode #514- The Secret History of Charley Organaire, Mick Dumke on the Chicago violence epidemic

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about reggae and ska harmonica innovator Charley Organaire for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about his special report on Chicago’s murder victims in first half of 2016 and addressing the crime problem at a community level.   Meanwhile, we discuss how Cook County is going after small venues for back amusement taxes.   This week’s local music is provided by Yell?jaket.   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke and OTL host Mike Stephen rep the city and solve the world’s problems during their post-show breakfast meeting.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #505- Chicago storyteller Jack Zimmerman, Visiting the Bike a Bee apiary

Mike Stephen talks with:   local renaissance man and raconteur Jack Zimmerman about his deep Chicago roots and his latest show FAMILY PHOTOS — six stories of fathers, sons, barkeeps, and philosophers; and   Bike a Bee creator and head beekeeper Jana Kinsman at the apiary at Plant Chicago about starting a business and keeping honeybees in the city.   Meanwhile, we discuss inequities in the dress code at an upscale pizza joint in Chicago.   This week’s local music is provided music by Jackie Islands.   Chicago raconteur Jack Zimmerman shares a story from his show “FAMILY PHOTOS — six stories of fathers, sons, barkeeps, and philosophers” with OTL host Mike Stephen.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.   OTL host Mike Stephen visits the Bike a Bee apiary on the roof of Plant Chicago in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

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.