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.

OTL: Episode #487- O’Hare’s runway allocation, The history of Chicago’s water intake cribs, How to save the Sun-Times

Mike Stephen talks with:   Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition leadership team member Helen Rosenberg about the ongoing fight with Mayor Rahm Emanuel over O’Hare noise pollution;   Chicago History Museum senior curator Libby Mahoney about the background of Chicago’s water intake cribs in Lake Michigan; and   Newcity editor/publisher Brian Hieggelke about how to keep Chicago a two-newspaper town with his plan to save the Sun-Times.   Meanwhile, we get fired up about a RedEye columnist defending the fact that she’s never voted.   This week’s local music is provided by Badwater Sound.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes great pleasure in contributing to the O’Hare noise pollution over OTL producer Andy Hermann’s neighborhood.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #371- The Chicago Cultural Plan, GloVentra, New City’s Best of Chicago 2013

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 “best of Chicago” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses the Chicago Cultural Plan, learns about a new use for the Ventra card, and talks about the Best of Chicago 2013 with the editor of New City Magazine.   Deanna Isaacs– Staff writer and columnist for the Chicago Reader Deanna has been covering the developing story of the Chicago Cultural Plan and gives us the latest.         Sam Isenstein– Local copywriter and creator of GloVentra Sam came up with a way to make your public transportation commute a whole lot easier: you can wear your Ventra card.  He tells us about his creation.         Brian Hieggelke– Editor and publisher of New City New City came out with its Best of Chicago 2013 list recently.  Brian talks about the list and the future of print publishing.       OTL #371 local music provided by Swim Ignorant Fire…  

OTL: Episode #337- Green Chicago Office Challenge, You Me Them Everybody show, NewCity’s Design 50 List

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 “Green Chicago office” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the Chicago Green Office Challenge, previews this week’s “You, Me, Them, Everybody” show, and discusses NewCity Magazine’s Design 50 list.   Vanessa Roanhorse– Project Manager, Chicago Green Office Challenge We learn about this ongoing competition that makes Chicago more sustainable by having buildings and tenants engage in friendly competition to reduce environmental impact— and gain recognition along the way.   Brandon Wetherbee– Host of the You, Me, Them, Everybody podcast Tonight you can catch a live taping of the YMTE show at the Hungry Brain (2319 W. Belmont).  We get a preview of tonight’s event.     Brian Hieggelke– Editor and publisher of NewCity Recently NewCity released their Design 50 List.  We review this list and find out who influences design in Chicago.   OTL #337 local music provided by Sunjacket…