Mike Stephen discusses some of the problems with Chicago’s recycling program with Madison Hopkins of the Better Government Association, talks to the new editor-in-chief of the Chicago Reader Anne Elizabeth Moore about what’s in store for the future of the paper, and discovers the Secret History of the local 1970s Bluegrass band Wildwood Pickers with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by The Bombats. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 7 years ago Tagged

OTL: Episode #571- The future of journalism, Digital maps and local art, Chicago Book Expo preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   OTL’s very first guest Bob McChesney, Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, about the erosion of journalism;   Local artist Carla Fisher-Schwartz, whose installation True North is featured at the SUB-MISSION exhibition space in Chicago through October 21st; and   John Wilson, local author and co-organizer of the 2017 Chicago Book EXPO.   Meanwhile, Mike celebrates 11 years of Outside the Loop!   This week’s local music is provided by Ethereal Groove, Inc.. Mike Stephen receives his 11 year anniversary gift wrapped in diaper coupons. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 8 years ago Tagged

OTL: Episode #560- Bag tax update, Play By Play on go90, The Secret History of Morris Jennings

Mike Stephen talks with:   DNAinfo Chicago City Hall reporter Heather Cherone about the Chicago bag tax and how it could cost the city millions;   Batavia native Kevin Jakubowski about his new coming-of-age show Play by Play on the go90 platform; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about prolific session drummer Morris Jennings for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss the fate of landline telephones in Illinois (as covered in OTL #555), tell the tale of Mike visiting his local park district pool, and peruse a WGN Radio producers’ manual circa 2001.   This week’s local music is provided by Panda Riot.   OTL host Mike Stephen studies up on his WGN Radio producers manual from 2001.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 8 years ago Tagged

OTL: Episode #538- Revitalizing the Pedway, Changes for Newcity, The Secret History of Little Brother Montgomery

Mike Stephen talks with:   Environmental Law & Policy Center president and executive director Howard Learner about ideas to improve Chicago’s vast pedway system;   Newcity editor/publisher Brian Hieggelke about changes in store for his venerable Chicago alternative newspaper; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about influential self-taught pianist Little Brother Montgomery for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, Mike reveals what the Chicago bag tax is really about right before making a surprise political announcement!   This week’s local music is provided by Cafe Racer.   OTL host Mike Stephen reads the 31st anniversary issue of Newcity — the last weekly edition of the venerable Chicago newspaper.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 8 years ago Tagged