OTL: Episode #544- IL’s crumbling infrastructure, The Secret History of Forest City Joe, We All Live Here

Mike Stephen talks with:   Darren Olson, co-chair of the Infrastructure Report Card Committee for the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), about the state of Illinois’ roads and bridges;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Muddy Waters-endorsed harmonica player Forest City Joe for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Rich Alapack, founder of we all live here, about his social startup that works on community-based art projects with local schools.   Meanwhile, Mike announces that his family is growing!   This week’s local music is provided by Capital Soirée.   OTL host Mike Stephen stands outside of the Pulaski International School of Chicago in Bucktown in front of an inspiring “we all live here” installation.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #543- Women’s equality with 24WORDS, Chicago River Swim, Noah Gabriel plays in studio

Mike Stephen talks with:   24WORDS: the equal rights rock musical producer/writer/lyricist Charles Kouri about exploring the journey for women’s equality;   Chicago River Swim co-creator Doug McConnell about a proposed long-distance swim in the Chicago River; and   local musician Noah Gabriel, who hung out live for the hour! Check out his new record Dead Reckoning.   Meanwhile, we anticipate today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade insanity, and we pre-celebrate Mike’s 37th birthday.   Local musician Noah Gabriel rocked the OTL #543 soundtrack in anticipation of his Dead Reckoning record release!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #542- Affordable housing on the NW Side, Roses4Austin, The Secret History of Big John Wrencher

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Housing Initiative organizer Ben Goldsmith about the controversial push for affordable housing in Jefferson Park;   Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Sydney Jackson and St. Catherine – St. Lucy School principal Sharon Leamy about the Roses4Austin after-school program and the importance of volunteering in the community; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about one-armed harmonica player Big John Wrencher for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss CityHealth’s questionable study that rates Chicago as one of the healthiest cities in America.   This week’s local music is provided by the Boogers.   OTL host Mike Stephen poses with Roses4Austin founder Sydney Jackson in a classroom at St. Catherine – St. Lucy School in Oak Park.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #541- Possible CPD reforms, Navigating Lake Street, The Platoon of Power Squadron series concludes

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Justice Project executive director Tracy Siska about changes that need to be made within the Chicago Police Department;   Fulton Market Association executive director Roger Romanelli about fixing the treacherous stretch of Lake Street between Halsted and Ashland; and   The Platoon of Power Squadron creator/writer/director Jake Jarvi about about his long-running locally-produced web series that’s coming to an end.   Meanwhile, we discuss street musicians dodging a proposed ban on performing on Michigan Avenue, and we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen, who feels like she’s been double-crossed by Mr. Fix-It himself… Lou Manfredini.   This week’s local music is provided by The Red Plastic Buddha.   OTL host Mike Stephen poses with his mom’s prized Lou Manfredini poster. [not pictured: Mrs. Stephen]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.