OTL: Episode #481- Inside Uptown’s Shake Rattle & Read, Quitting social media cold turkey, Re-visiting Batavia’s Beardsgaard Barbers

Mike Stephen talks with:   Shake Rattle & Read owner Ric Addy about closing shop after 50 years in Uptown;   artist/author Dmitry Samarov about quitting social media cold turkey; and   Beardsgaard Barbers co-owners Natalie and Tyler Anderson about cutting hair in Batavia (from OTL #416, our first show on WGN Radio).   Meanwhile, HAPPY NEW YEAR!   This week’s local music is provided by City Mouth.   OTL host Mike Stephen in the Shake Rattle & Read basement   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #399- Shedding light on street fests, No more missed packages, An ex-cabbie’s view on ride sharing

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 “have a drink in the street” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the quest of local neighborhood groups to monitor the finances of street fests, gets the lowdown on DropSpot, and talks to an ex-cabbie about his view of ride sharing services in Chicago.   Steve Jensen– President of the Bucktown Community Organization The BCO along with a few other neighborhood groups recently put in a request to see how street fests make their money and where our donations to these festivals go.  He gives us the details.       Andy Meyer, Tyler Veit, and Adam Bryan– Co-creators of DropSpot These Northwestern grad students are solving the problem of what to do with oversized packages getting delivered to our homes.  E-mail them at DropSpotChicago@gmail.com with your suggestions and feedback.     This won’t fit in your mailbox! Dmitry Samarov– Former Chicago cabbie, author, and artist Dmitry weighed in recently on the debate over ride sharing in Chicago.  He shares his thoughts and previews his upcoming book.     Dmitry Samarov in his cab driving days.     OTL #399 local music provided by The Thons…  

OTL: Episode #310- IL Campaign for Political Reform, City Life Supplement returns, Dmitry Samarov’s new projects

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 “city life” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the IL Campaign for Political Reform’s great work, previews the 2nd season of The City Life Supplement, and talks to Dmitry Samarov about his new projects.   Whitney Woodward – Policy Associate at the IL Campaign for Political Reform IL has a reputation when it comes to political corruption.  The ICPR is working to increase government transparency in our state.   The City Life Supplement returns – This live show that’s also distributed as a podcast is described as a metropolitan “A Prairie Home Companion” and it’s all about life in Chicago.  You can attend the next performance at Holiday Club on September 29th.     Dmitry Samarov– Former Chicago cabbie, artist, and author of Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab This local cabbie wrote about some of his great experiences while on duty.  He’s ready for a sequel and he tells us all about that, other projects, and why he’s not driving a cab anymore. Dmitry Samarov in his cab.   OTL #310 local music provided by Dirty Pigeons…  

OTL: Episode #292- Dmitry Samarov’s Hack: The Sequel, Hardcore Star Trek music video, My Asian Mom

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 “mom is my #1 fan” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to a local cabbie about his new literary project, gets the lowdown on a locally produced hardcore Star Trek music video, and learns about the new stage play, My Asian Mom.   Dmitry Samarov– Chicago cabbie, artist, and author of Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab This local cabbie wrote about some of his great experiences while on duty.  He’s ready for a sequel and he tells us all about it this week. Dmitry Samarov in his cab.   T.J. and Collin of TNG – Have you ever seen a Star Trek hardcore music video?  You’re about to when you click below.  We find out why these local visionaries decided to embark on this trek of awesomeness.   Click above to “make it so.” Miss Mia Park– Creator and producer of My Asian Mom Since this is the Mother’s Day season, we get the lowdown on a stage play that’s all about the mom-child relationship.  You can catch the show every Friday and Saturday in May at Stage 773.   OTL #292 local music provided by The Future Laureates…