OTL: Episode #400- Mick Dumke on Chicago crime, Mike Loves Tacos series, Lake Claremont Press celebrates 20 years

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 “when 400 shows you reach, look as good you will not!” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks about Chicago’s crime rate with The Chicago Reader’s Mick Dumke, gives us the deets on his new video project: Mike Loves Tacos, and talks to the publisher of Lake Claremont Press about local lit.   Mick Dumke– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader Mick discusses his latest columns dealing with the high crime numbers in Chicago.  He also shares his love of OTL with us over a beer.   Friend of OTL and journalist Mick Dumke   Mike Loves Tacos– A video journey to Chicago’s taquerias It’s no secret that OTL host Mike Stephen loves tacos.  In fact he loves tacos so much, he’s taking us on a taco-eating experience across Chicago in a new video series called Mike Loves Tacos.  Former OTL producer Andy Hermann interviews Mike about this delicious project.     Mike Loves Tacos Sharon Woodhouse– Publisher of Lake Claremont Press Celebrating 20 years telling wonderful Chicago stories, Lake Claremont Press marches on.  We catch up with Sharon at this year’s Printer’s Row Lit Fest.     The Lake Claremont Press tent at the Printer’s Row Lit Fest     OTL #400 local music provided by Jolly Korea…  

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 #398- Is there sewage in the Chicago River?, Rehab aid intended for blighted areas languishes

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 “what’s floating in the water” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to one of the creators of a website that tells us if there is raw sewage in the Chicago River, and discusses federal rehab aid not going going to intended areas in the city.   Scott Beslow– Co-creator of Is There Sewage in the Chicago River? If you ever wanted to know the answer to the above question, check out the site!  We hear why it was created and how Chicago deals with excess rainwater.   Mike Stephen ignoring the sewage in the Chicago River.     Angela Caputo– Staff Reporter at The Chicago Reporter Recently, Angela wrote a story about how federal money intended to rehab vacant buildings in blighted areas of Chicago never made it to those areas.  She gives us the details.           OTL #398 local music provided by Winkler Mill…  

OTL: Episode #397- IL’s marijuana policy, Reboot Illinois, Good in Englewood

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 “radio reboot” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to the lead author of a recent study on Illinois’ marijuana policy, discusses state government with the executive editor of Reboot Illinois, and takes a closer look what’s good in Englewood.   Kathie Kane-Willis– Director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy at Roosevelt University This week a new study was released that analyzes our state’s policy on marijuana misdemeanor enforcement.  Kathie is the lead author of this report and discusses what she and her team found.     Matt Dietrich– Executive Editor at Reboot Illinois This organization aims to encourage us to retake ownership of our local government by providing us with the information we need to take action.  We get the details.       Rashanah Baldwin– Journalist and resident of Englewood She’s sick and tired of the negative press Englewood receives, so Rashanah is on a mission to let us know what’s good in Englewood.         OTL #397 local music provided by Yellow Jacket…