OTL: Episode #534- Will tougher sentencing reduce violence?, Writers Resist preview, The Secret History of Barrelhouse Chuck

Mike Stephen talks with:   UIC Criminology, Law and Justice professor John Hagedorn about whether or not tougher sentencing can stop Chicago’s violent crime epidemic;   Chicago#WritersResist co-event manager Brian Kornell  resisting intolerance within the local literary community; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about recently deceased pianist Barrelhouse Chuck for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we the “camera violation review notice” Mike received in the mail this week. Apparently it’s part of the city’s last-ditch effort to wriggle free of refunding improperly-issued red light camera violations.   This week’s local music is provided by Steve Dawson.   OTL host Mike Stephen gets dinged for quite obviously running a red light camera in 2010. The City of Chicago reminded him of his infraction again in 2017.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #438- Another look at unions and IL politics, Story Week Festival of Writers, The Secret History of Chicago Music: Baby Doo Caston

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “baby-doo” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen takes another look at unions and their influence on IL politics, previews Story Week Festival of Writers, and gets the lowdown on Chicago musician Baby Doo Caston.   Frank Manzo–  Policy Director, Illinois Economic Policy Institute We heard a lot of listener feedback on the topic of influence of unions on IL politics.  This week we get another perspective on this issue.       Eric May– Author and artistic director of Story Week Festival of Writers Columbia College presents this annual festival that celebrates the written word and the art of storytelling.  We get a preview of this event that runs from March 15-21.  Eric May discusses the upcoming Story Week Festival of Writers with Mike Stephen     The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 20th century Blues musician Baby Doo Caston in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to Chicago.       OTL #438 local music provided by Molehill…

OTL: Episode #418- Chicago Loot Drop charity, Chicago Writers Conference preview, The Secret History of Chicago Music

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “write this down” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen learns about a local charity event that benefits kids at Comer Children’s Hospital, gets a preview of this year’s Chicago Writers Conference, and learns about an under-the-radar contributor to the Chicago Music Scene.   Mike Chuck– Chairman of The Chicago Loot Drop This local charity brings together “gamers and nerds” to help the children at University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital.  We learn about the Shamblers’ Ball taking place on October 27th.   Mare Swallow– Founder of The Chicago Writers Conference Patricia Ann McNair– Author and Associate Professor in the Department of Creative Writing of Columbia College Chicago We get a preview of the upcoming conference and discuss Chicagoland’s literary community.  Mare Swallow and Patricia Ann McNair talking to Mike Stephen in the WGN Allstate Showcase Studio.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Steve Eddington in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on Steve’s life, times, and musical contribution to Chicago. The Secret History’s feature on Steve Eddington.   OTL #418 local music provided by Old Grand Dad…

OTL: Episode #413- Local violence prevention, The Chicago Writers Association, Your Chicago Podcast

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 “your Chicago” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about local violence prevention in Chicago, talks to the president of the Chicago Writers Association, and pays a visit to the HQ of the Your Chicago Podcast.   Lori Crowder– Executive Director of the Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO) Violence continues to plague Chicago.  ALSO works with at-risk youth and focuses on community solutions to violence issues.  We learn about this important work.       Tori Collins– President of the Chicago Writers Association The CWA helps to foster community among Chicago’s writers through networking online, in-person, and special events.  We get the lowdown on this organization.     Arden Joy and Stefania Rudd– Co-hosts of Your Chicago Podcast Mike pays a visit to this fun podcast that features conversations with some very interesting Chicagoans.         OTL #413 local music provided by Model Stranger…