OTL: Episode #285- Story Week Fest preview, Parking Ticket Geek returns, LTHForum’s Great Neighborhood Restaurant Nominations

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 “story fest” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen previews the 16th annual Story Week Festival of Writers, talks to the Parking Ticket Geek about local transportation issues, and discusses LTHForum.com’s Great Neighborhood Restaurant nominations.   Megan Stielstra– Local author and faculty member of the fiction writing department at Columbia College The 16th annual Story Week Festival of Writers is coming up March 18-23.  We get a preview of this popular local literary event.  Megan is also the literary director of 2nd Story, a local storytelling series. The Parking Ticket Geek— Official OTL parking correspondent and blogger at TheExpiredMeter.com The Geek discusses local red light and speed camera topics and answers a common ticket question.     Steve Zaransky– Co-Owner of LTHForum.com The 2012 Great Neighborhood Restaurant and Resources nominations are now open.  We talk about this award program that has gained popularity over the years.   OTL #285 local music provided by Color Card..  

OTL: Episode #284- 826CHI, Chicago Zine Fest preview, Local sports journalism with ChicagosideSports.com

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 “Chicagoside” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits a great after school program called 826CHI, previews the Chicago Zine Fest, and learns about a new local sports journalism website: ChicagosideSports.com.   Patrick Schaffner– Director of Communications and Outreach for 826CHI We go inside this non-profit that supports students with their creative writing skills. Neil Brideau— Co–organizer of the Chicago Zine Fest We get a preview of this festival of DIY publishing in Chicago and beyond taking place March 9th and 10th.     Sol Lieberman– Creative director and co-founder of ChicagosideSports.com This new website claims to have the best sports journalism in town.  We find out what makes this site tick and the cool features you’ll find once you log on.   OTL #284 local music provided by Switchback…  

OTL: Episode #283- Bike messengers in the city, Baconfest Chicago preview, Breaking the record on the L

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 “bacon is the best” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the bike messenger community in Chicago, gets a preview of Baconfest Chicago, and talks to the local guy who set a new record for riding the entire “L” system the fastest.   Jeff Kidder– Assistant Professor of Sociology at Northern IL University, author of Urban Flow: Bike Messengers and the City What’s it like being a bike messenger in Chicago?  We explore this question and many others related to this risky job. Seth Zurer— Co–founder of Baconfest Chicago This sold-out event happening April 14th at the UIC Forum is in its fourth year.  We chat with Seth about what’s new at this year’s fest and why bacon is uh-mazing.     Danny Resner– Recent college grad who broke the record for riding the entire “L” system in the fastest time On OTL #259 Mike talked to a Brit who set the record for riding the “L” in the fastest time.  That record has been broken!  Danny, along with John Greenfield of GridChicago.com, now holds the new record.  We hear about their experience this week. Danny Resner and John Greenfield   OTL #283 local music provided by Panda Riot…  

OTL: Episode #282- Cleaning up TIFs, Hideout Harmonica Hoedown preview

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 “harmonica hoedown” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses ways to improve Chicago’s TIF program and then talks to two local harmonica players about the upcoming Hideout Harmonica Hoedown (complete with a fun on-air harp jam session).   Celeste Meiffren– Field Director at the Illinois Public Interest Research Group IL PIRG recently put out a report called Cleaning Up Tax Increment Financing.  Celeste talks to us about this report. Bob Kessler and Jim Conway— Chicago harmonica studs These two harp players are just part of the great lineup at the Hideout Harmonica Hoedown coming up on Sunday, February 19th at The Hideout.  They drop by the OTL Bunker to preview the event and to jam on some tunes with Mike.     OTL #282 local music provided by Joe Filisko and Eric Noden…